【Reported from Kaohsiung】As the Taipei International Book Exhibition took Northern Taiwan by storm, readers and book enthusiasts in the south were basking in the festivities of “Dialogues Across the Oceans: Diverse Landscapes on the Page.” Held from January 31 to February 9, the serial event was organized through the joint efforts of the Kaohsiung Public Library (KPL), the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI), the Academy of Transcending the Boundaries of Visual Language, and the National Development Council. “Dialogues Across Oceans” featured three globally renowned speakers from Italy and Belgium, bringing new global perspectives to the port city of Kaohsiung.

When remarking on the event, KPL Director Chin-Yang Lee emphasized the importance of the library not only as a space for book collections but also as a platform for cross-cultural dialogues. With a collection of 160,000 books in its “International Picture Book Center,” KPL has pioneered global reading trends in Taiwan, as evidenced by its dedication to promoting illustrative reading. Aside from inviting Deanna Belluti and Noémie Favart, both of whom are famed illustrators from Italy and Belgium, respectively, as keynote speakers for “Dialogues Across Oceans,” KPL also welcomed Davide Cali, a world-renowned author with multiple awards to his name. Through the exchange of ideas and perspectives with these globally acclaimed illustrators and storytellers, KPL hoped to enrich local citizens’ cultural and illustrative literacy.

The “Dialogues Across Oceans” series began with Belgian illustrator Noémie Favart, who humorously shared her careful and attentive observations of daily routines. Her description of her life as an illustrator was evenly-paced yet full of thoughtful creativity, enriched further by her conversation on the selection of children's books with Ruei-Ting Ni, the session's panelist and editor at Reading Times Kids. Favart then offered personal guidance to the participants in crafting handmade 3D picture books, allowing them to experience the process of elevating two-dimensional illustrations while opening their minds to the endless possibilities in the world of reading and creative imagination.

With over twenty years of experience at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, Deanna Belluti shared how picture books can bridge the linguistic and cultural distances through the eyes of a reviewer and curator, emphasizing their role as a vital medium of knowledge and sentiments. Concurrently, Belluti delved into an analysis of new trends in modern international picture books. The event proved to be a golden opportunity for the numerous creators and experts attending the session to broaden their international perspectives. Additionally, Belluti visited the International Picture Book Center, giving high praise and recognition for the KPL's strategies and programs in promoting picture books and supporting their creators.

Meanwhile, the session titled “Storytelling and Everyday Imagination” shone a spotlight on Davide Cali, who has authored over 200 books published worldwide. During his speech, Cali shared his unique creative philosophy and storycrafting tips. No seats were left empty, cementing Cali's session as the ultimate highlight of the serial event. In addition to his speech, Cali also designed a creative workshop for the participants of the KPL Sprouting Project, leading them to explore cross-cultural narratives through practical projects and further enriching the cultivation of original picture book authors in Taiwan.

“I was able to listen to two amazing sharing sessions. And I didn't even need to travel to northern Taiwan!” said a female participant, surnamed Lin. “This is most definitely a priceless opportunity for creators living in the South. Listening to Davide talk about how he collects inspirations in his daily life was definitely eye-opening for me.” A father who attended Noémie Favart's session, surnamed Wu, further exclaimed, “Through the guidance of these international creators, children discover that books can be as fun as toys. These activities are not just handicraft workshops, but rather an opportunity to broaden our senses and creative boundaries.”

KPL's “Dialogues Across Oceans” series bridges national distances, showing citizens that the world can be read, understood, and discussed through the pages of books. Sparks of inspiration from beyond the sea ignite the passion of the port city, further cementing libraries not only as a vital point of contact for knowledge exchange, but also as a founding pillar for the cultivation of new creators. In the future, KPL will continue to connect Kaohsiung City with the world through picture books. KPL believes reading is a vessel on a never-ending voyage of knowledge that enables people to build a sustainable future through creativity and imagination together.

For more information on events, please visit the official KPL website at https://www.ksml.edu.tw/.

【Picture 1】Director Chin-Yang Lee of KPL (left) presented a special gift in the shape of KPL to Noémie Favart as a genuine sign of respect.

【Picture 2】Deanne Belluti, the curator of illustration exhibitions at the Bologna Children's Book Festival, gave high praise for KPL's collection of picture books during her visit to the International Picture Book Center. 

【Picture 3】Genius author Davide Cali humorously shared his philosophy on “planting and disseminating” inspiration, drawing endless laughter from the audience.

【Picture 4】Participants lining up to ask for Noémie Favart following the end of her sharing session, eager for memorabilia of the special occasion.

【Picture 5】The session was marked by high levels of audience engagement. Deanna Belluti gave thoughtful answers in response to the participants’ questions, showcasing her expertise as an experienced curator.

【Picture 6】Illustrator Davide Cali gifted a signed drawing to readers of all ages as a reminder of his visit to Kaohsiung. 

【Picture 7】Deanne Belluti, the curator of illustration exhibitions at the Bologna Children's Book Festival, explained international trends and analyzed the standards of the international picture book award review process, introducing new global perspectives to the publishing industry of Southern Taiwan.

【Picture 8】Young participants crafted 3D books under the guidance of Belgian illustrator Noémie Favart, experiencing the process of transforming two-dimensional artworks into three-dimensional illustrations firsthand.

【Picture 9】Famous author Davide Cali shared tips on how to collect storytelling ideas from the mundanity of everyday life, inspiring creators on-scene to expand their creativity.