The first international lecture of “2022 Kaohsiung Reading Festival” was held on Oct. 2 at the Kaohsiung Public Library. Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the author of the best-selling novel "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", which sold over 1 million copies, was invited to be the keynote speaker. He gave a lecture entitled “Building Dreams Forward, Advice to Your Past Self” and attracted nearly 400 readers. This event marked the first time Kawaguchi presented and lectured in Kaohsiung with his latest work “Before Saying Goodbye” following his appearance in 2019 Taipei International Book Fair three years ago.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi said that for the past two years, under the influence of the pandemic, an invisible fence had been built for human communication, but only the expression and transmission of words could continue without restriction. This is the most gratifying part for him as a creator of words. It has always been his belief to create “works that resonate with people of any era or country”. Therefore, he was invited to travel all the way to Taiwan to be the speaker of the first international lecture of Kaohsiung Reading Festival, sharing the beauty of writing and reading with Kaohsiung readers face to face at this time when the pandemic is gradually slowing down, which highlights profound significance.

“The infectious power of reading transcends time and space. Through 2022 Kaohsiung Reading Festival, the city’s powerful artistic and literary energy can be felt through cross-disciplinary activities, such as bazaars, lectures, and book fairs combined with music and movies. Mr. Kawaguchi had experienced countless difficulties before the publication of his novel, and had accumulated a wealth of creative energy. The first international lecture held in Kaohsiung is like a cup of hot coffee, spreading the warm charm of reading to the city,” said Wang Wencui, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government.

The readers who attended the lecture expressed their excitement. Under the influence of the pandemic, there has been no international event to attend for a long time, and they have been fans of Mr. Kawaguchi’s books even before the launch of the event. They did not expect to have such a precious opportunity to see him in person at the international lecture in 2022 Kaohsiung Reading Festival, and with Kawaguchi's personal sharing, they could feel the warmth of words and aspire to a life full of inspirations. As said in the book, they would not harbor regrets anymore.

In 2022 Kaohsiung Reading Festival, "Harbor Book Fair" and "Meadow Book Market", have been held for two consecutive weeks, and the book fair has been bringing over 10,000 people to the library and the bookstore every weekend since its launch. Oct 2 marked the last day of the bazaar and the book fair. Nine more stalls were added to the fair, and this week, the "Kaohsiung Daily Library" was added to sell the publications of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. 32 stalls were added to the book fair and 39 to the market, making a total of 71 stalls of books and handmade brands.

Following Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Rika Eguchi, Art Director at Dentsu Inc. in Japan was invited to give a lecture on “design” and “picture books” at 2:30 pm on Oct. 8 (Sat) and Oct. 9 (Sun). Eguchi is the original author of “The King of Bread” picture book series. She would share her creative process and tell us how to create a picture book design with a sense of healing.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the author of the best-selling novel "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", was invited to be the keynote speaker.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the author of the best-selling novel "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", was invited to be the keynote speaker.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the author of the best-selling novel "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", was invited to be the keynote speaker.

The event has been bringing over 10,000 people to the library and the bookstore every weekend since its launch.

The event has been bringing over 10,000 people to the library and the bookstore every weekend since its launch.

The event has been bringing over 10,000 people to the library and the bookstore every weekend since its launch.