Turned on by books

The Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE, 台北國際書展) opens the 12th chapter in its history today when it begins at Taipei's World Trade Center (TWTC) at 10am.

Jointly organized by Cite Publishing (城邦出版集團) and the Government Information Office (GIO, 新聞局), the organizing committee doesn't expect a repeat of events last November , which saw previous TIBE organizers the Chinese Publishers' Development Foundation (中華圖書出版事業發展基金會) embroiled in a financial scandal.

Attracting publishing houses from around the world, the annual event has become Asia's largest and the world's fourth-largest international book exhibition since its inaugural show in 1987. This year a total of 925 publishing houses representing 51 countries are set to fill 2,078 booths at TWTC's I and II exhibition halls.

Although this is a slight drop in last year's record-breaking figures, which saw 925 publishing houses displaying their tomes in 2,092 booths, this year's TIBE has been touted by organizers as the most "reader friendly" in the event's history.

In contrast to previous TIBEs, where entrance to the event for the opening two days was restricted to those within the publishing industry, this year will see the entire six-day event open to the general book-reading public. The move is expected to substantially boost the number of visitors and organizers anticipate a huge turnout. They are already predicting the number of visitors will be between 250,000 and 300,000 over the six days.

"This year's TIBE is not the largest, but we do expect it to attract more visitors than ever before. There are over 2,000 stalls, many of which represent local publishing, which is a main feature of this years event," said Chairman of the TIBE Organizing Committee Jan Hung-tze (詹宏志). "There are also many special events focusing on special topics, which will bring together local and international publishing houses."

In order to appeal to the large number of visitors expected at TIBE 2004, the show has been divided into six major exhibition areas, the largest and most extensive of which is the publications area. This area includes the international exhibitors' area, where foreign exhibitors representing publishing houses from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas and Africa will be displaying their wares.

The children's books area will see publishing houses specializing in children's and teen books. There is a general-books area, where both paper and hardback fiction and non-fiction will be available, as well as a spiritual and religious books area, which will include inspirational, philosophical and religious texts. Magazines will also be available this year and have an area of the TWTC set aside for them for first time.

As always, the comic book area is expected to prove one of the event's biggest draws. Under the auspices of the Comic Artist Labor Union in Taipei (台北市漫畫從業人員職業工會), the area will feature copious numbers of both foreign and domestic comic-book publications. This year the comic book pavilion will celebrate works by Japan's Tezuka Osamu of Astro Boy fame and Doraemon Animations founder, Fujiko Fujio.

Large numbers of fans of cosplay will be on hand at the comic book pavilion dressed up as their favorite comic book characters.

Those feeling left out and not bedecked in costumes or toting the latest in comic book merchandise will be able stock-up on the latest in comic book chic paraphernalia at a special comic book merchandise pavilion.