November 15, 2025, marks the beginning of this year's Kaohsiung Reading Festival. The opening ceremony features exciting performances, courtesy of FOCASA Circus, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Attending the event were councillors Fei-Feng Huang and Chun-Hsieh Chiu; Dr. Sylvia Asmus, the director of Deutsches Exilarchiv; Director Nel Gibson of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch; Director General Masafumi Oku of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Kaohsiung Office; Director Kazuma Otsuka of Tsutaya Bookstore; Deputy Minister of Culture Ching-Hwi Lee; Director Wang Wen-Tsui of the Kaohsiung City Government's Bureau of Cultural Affairs; Director Chin-Yang Lee of the Kaohsiung Public Library (KPL), as well as representatives from various publishing and art institutions. They opened the “Treasure Box of Tokens,” which symbolizes the birth of wisdom. Dazzling paper flowers appeared, greeted by the sound of applause. 

This year's Kaohsiung Reading Festival brings together hundreds of publishers and independent bookstores to launch the “Harbor Book Market.” The festival also features hundreds of events, including seven thematic exhibitions, international speeches, and cross-disciplinary performances over three consecutive weekends. With the completion of the opening ceremony, the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival officially begins.

Ching-Hwi Lee, the Deputy Minister of Culture, praised the Kaohsiung Reading Festival as an event that promotes the publishing industry through reading activities. Deputy Minister Lee further remarked that 2026 will prove to be even more special, as the annual Taiwan International Children & Youth Book Fair (TICYBF) will be held in Kaohsiung. Beyond its role as an exhibition for published works and agencies, organizing the event in Kaohsiung presents an opportunity to showcase to the world that the city has connected publishing with educational industries to promote reading, and included participation from the citizens in their efforts.

According to Deputy Minister Lee, the 2026 TICYBF will expand its scope to include music, film, artworks, and performance arts in addition to breaking away from conventional reading boundaries. This enables TICYBF to create a platform for reading and cultural exchange among young individuals.

Remarking on Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-Mai Chen's strong support for equal rights in reading, Director Wen-Tsui Wang of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs assured that the Kaohsiung City Government will continue to expand efforts to promote reading through policies and by supporting collaboration between libraries and educational institutions. This year's Kaohsiung Reading Festival is centered around the theme of “movement and mobility,” which is reflected in the event itself. The Kaohsiung Reading Festival features a range of activities held across various venues, including the city's light rail trains (LRT), underscoring that the benefits of reading can be enjoyed in diverse settings. The festival is a grand celebration of culture, featuring books, films, original works, and artworks set against the beautiful scenery of Kaohsiung.

“The Kaohsiung Reading Festival leverages reading to further cultivate the city's creativity and confidence in its own culture," Director Wang added. “That's why the Kaohsiung City Government and KPL are so dedicated to holding this event every year, organizing hundreds of activities in such a short period of time. We hope Kaohsiung will become a city where reading and exploration can be enjoyed freely.” She further encouraged citizens to participate in this year's festivities, emphasizing that reading will allow them to experience a different side of Kaohsiung.

During her interview, KPL Director Chin-Yang Lee provided further explanation of this year's event. The 2025 Kaohsiung Festival comprises hundreds of engaging activities, featuring outstanding speakers and creators from diverse backgrounds. Some, for example, specialize in the art of words, while others focus on the art of sound; some are involved in the performing arts, while others dedicate themselves to music, making the Kaohsiung Reading Festival a feast for the senses. Among the speakers are Ann Lang, a talented artist skilled in many fields; Che-Ching Hsieh, a renowned author; and Dr. Stanzel, who has been invited as a speaker for an international speech and will share his experiences as a diplomat. Furthermore, the Kaohsiung Reading Festival also coincides with the signing of an MOU with a new partner in Germany.

KPL has extended the book festival to various urban settings, including libraries, grassy areas, and light rail trains through cross-sector planning and the active reading programs. The 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival breaks the traditional boundaries of reading by combining elements like staged readings, “reading circus” performances, and mobile libraries bound for remote areas, bringing its energy to every corner of the city. KPL hopes that readers of all ages will find their own entryway into reading at each exhibition point.

One of the most highly anticipated activities of the day is “Build to Give,” a LEGO charity campaign held after the opening ceremony at the Picture Book Plaza on Level B1. According to representatives from KPL, “Build to Give” invites children and families from remote areas to build Legos, which symbolize hope and connection. Each child is encouraged to build a unique “city of love” with Legos by engaging them through games and stories. This collaboration with LEGO Taiwan has enriched the Kaohsiung Reading Festival by adding elements of education, charity, and companionship. Additionally, the “Build to Give” program has transformed reading into an interactive, joyful, and educational activity.

With the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival officially underway, KPL encourages citizens to take part in the festivities during its first week. On November 16, MHY-Huang Taiwanese Opera Troupe, led by their third-generation director Tzu-Yang Chen, will perform highlights from the opera themed "Creation of the Gods: Nezha.” This performance is sure to reveal the essence of Taiwanese opera to the audience. With tense, layered, and rapid rhythms, combined with modern vocabulary, the MHY-Huang Taiwanese Opera Troupe will showcase the unique passion of a new generation of opera. Another event planned for that day is a meet-and-greet with the hosts of the “Monday Blueee” podcast, Sky and Duck (鴨肉), known for their genuine and straightforward discussions. The grand finale performance will feature independent singer-songwriter Huizhu Wang, who was nominated for four awards at the 36th Golden Melody Awards, delivering a heartfelt rendition of the delicate and gentle melodies from her album “Drip-Drop.”

The 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival offers hundreds of exciting activities and speeches. Be sure to register and participate in the festivities! For more information, please visit the KPL's official website (https://2025libkrf.ksml.edu.tw/) or its Facebook fan page.

Picture 1: Director Wen-Tsui Wang of the Kaohsiung City Government's Bureau of Cultural Affairs delivering the opening remarks.

Picture 2: Deputy Minister Ching-Hwi Lee delivering her opening remarks.

Picture 3: FOCASA Circus’ performance during the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival's opening ceremony drew enthusiastic response and endless applause from the audience.

Picture 4: FOCASA Circus’ performance during the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival's opening ceremony drew enthusiastic response and endless applause from the audience.

Picture  5: FOCASA Circus’ performance during the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival's opening ceremony drew enthusiastic response and endless applause from the audience.

Picture 6: The opening ceremony of the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival took place on November 25, with representatives from various industries in attendance.

Picture 7: The opening ceremony of the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival took place on November 25, with representatives from various industries in attendance.

Picture 8: The opening ceremony of the 2025 Kaohsiung Reading Festival was full of excitement and surprises.

Picture 9: Children and families from remote areas are invited to participate and create their own Lego works during the Kaohsiung Reading Festival's Lego Charity Event.

Picture 10: Children and families from remote areas are invited to participate and create their own Lego works during the Kaohsiung Reading Festival's Lego Charity Event.

Picture 11: Children and families from remote areas are invited to participate and create their own Lego works during the Kaohsiung Reading Festival's Lego Charity Event.