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The "2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival" opened today (November 11th) at the Kaohsiung Main Public Library. Attendees included Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai (陳其邁), Director of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs Wang Wen-Tsui (王文翠), Councilor Jheng Guang-fong (鄭光峰), as well as Chen Kun-lun (陳坤崙), President of the local Chunhui Publishing House, and Taiwanese literary critic Peng Ruei-jin (彭瑞金). The seeds of reading were sown in the presence of writers, independent bookstores, and publishers from various fields, marking the official start of the 18-day Kaohsiung Reading Festival. The event collaborates with 70 publishers and 40 independent bookstores at the Harbor Book Fair, along with a hundred quality lectures, a weekend Market on Meadow, eight special book fairs, and the Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival, which was last held 18 years ago. The public is invited to experience Kaohsiung through reading and connecting with the world.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai stated that reading ability makes citizens competitive. Kaohsiung has been committed to cultural and educational development, evident from the construction of the new main library and branches in various districts. The "2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival," centered on the concept of "Reading Kaohsiung, Reading the World," aims to initiate physical international exchanges in Kaohsiung in the post-pandemic era. It is hoped that people could connect with the world through reading and continue to showcase Kaohsiung to the world. Mayor Chen thanked local writers for their efforts and the enthusiastic public participation of Kaohsiung's youth, which are valuable assets to the city. He recalled participating in the Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival in 2005, reading Dr. Zeng Guei-hai's (曾貴海) poem "Tomorrow's New City." (明日新城) He is pleased that after 18 years, the promotional video of the 2023 Reading Festival made several references to the poem and that the festival is combined with the Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival. Mayor Chen invited the public to join and not to miss this rare event.
 

The "2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival" opening ceremony featured Taiwanese-Vietnamese rapper 桃子A1J / Đào tử A1J and actress/singer Shara Lin (林逸欣), bringing diverse styles of music to experience different levels of reading. "Funnynoproblem" (面白大丈夫) performed a humorous stand-up comedy act, bringing reading closer to the public through comedy. The hundred quality lectures feature a rich and diverse lineup, including Golden Bell Best Actress Huang Pei-jia (黃姵嘉), theater writer Gong Neng-an (宮能安), local Kaohsiung poets Ren Ming-sin (任明信), Li Chang-cing (李長青), Sao sia (騷夏), and well-known writers Fu Min (富閔), Liao Yu-huei (廖玉蕙), Guo Sian-hong (郭憲鴻Siao Donggua, Little Winter Melon), Chen Syue (陳雪), Huang Da-mi (黃大米), and others who will meet with readers in Kaohsiung. Additionally, financial expert Sia Yun-fen (夏韻芬), documentary and advertising director Lu Jian-jhang (盧建彰), professional baseball championship coach Hong Yi-jhong (洪一中), consecutive winner of the Wu Sanlian News Photography Award in documentary photography, master Sie San-tai (謝三泰), and Korean "phenomenal" new-generation sci-fi author Kim Choyeop (金草葉) will all gather at the Kaohsiung Reading Festival, making it an event not to be missed.

Wang Wen-Tsui (王文翠), Director of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KPL, stated that the 2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival, in addition to combining with the Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival after 18 years, encompasses themes such as literature, film, drama creation, comedy, and food. It also brings together 40 independent bookstores and 70 publishers, offering a hundred quality lectures, stage performances, and traditional craft experiences, providing a diverse reading experience. All these activities have enriched this year’s reading festival. Everyone is invited to continue participating through reading, to feel the cultural energy of Kaohsiung, and to see the world.

KPL announced it would be a pity to miss the exciting first week of the 2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival. On the afternoon of November 12th, the band "Men Envy Children," (小男孩樂團) Kaohsiung singers Chen Jian-wei (陳建瑋) and Shao Da-lun (邵大倫) will take the audience back in time with classic Taiwanese songs. The Shinezone Theater (響座劇場) will present "Dad's Love Letter" (老爸的情書) through Japanese manzai comedy and short drama. During the reading festival, four performances and workshops at the Shinezone Theater brought the audience closer to theatrical arts and offered a unique reading experience at the festival. The 2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival has up to a hundred quality lectures open for registration, and the public is encouraged to register online in time. For more details, please visit the official website of the Kaohsiung Reading Festival.

The "2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival" opening ceremony invited Taiwanese-Vietnamese rapper 桃子A1J / Đào tử A1J.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai attended the opening of the 2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival today (November 11th) at the Kaohsiung Municipal Library Main Branch.

The 2023 Kaohsiung Reading Festival opened today (November 11th) at the Kaohsiung Municipal Library Main Branch. The seeds of reading were sown in the presence of writers, independent bookstores, and publishers from various fields, marking the official start of the 18-day Kaohsiung Reading Festival.