【Reported From Kaohsiung】On the Lunar Calendar, 2024 is marked as the joyous year of the Golden Dragon. In celebration, the Kaohsiung Public Library (KPL) specially invited Director Cai Fong-Ji from the Taiwan Calligraphy Association of Kaohsiung City and his team of calligraphy experts to the Kaohsiung Main Library on January 27 and 28. On these two days, these honored guests assisted KPL in holding the “Loong Time No See! Spring Couplets for Good Fortune" event at the Main Library’s Picture Book Plaza on the B1 Floor. Visitors who borrowed up to 10 books from the library were given coupons to trade for a spring couplet. KPL prepared a selection of spring couplets, auspicious phrases, or a piece of Doufang red paper that visitors could choose from, allowing them to immerse themselves in the joyous atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.  

KPL’s Acting Director Lin Yi-Cheng remarked that hanging spring couplets is one of the customs that Taiwanese must adhere to when greeting the arrival of the Spring Festival. Every Lunar New Year, a joyous atmosphere fills the library thanks to its activity of giving out spring couplets for book borrowers. Furthermore, the presence of famed calligraphy masters connects the traditional art of writing calligraphy and the beauty of reading. Readers have always loved these activities. This year, KPL extended the period of these activities to two days, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the rich Lunar New Year atmosphere before continuing their harvest of knowledge with renewed energy in the Year of the Dragon.

Aside from the events above, KPL also held other creative activities for families within a limited time. One was the “AR Sports Day” workshop, linked to the spring couplets activity. All slots for participants were almost immediately filled after registrations were opened. KPL held the “AR Sports Day” on Sunday, but those who couldn’t attend were welcome to visit the AR Room of the Picture Book Center to experience the Spring Festival Chapter of the game at 2 pm on February 13. KPL encouraged citizens to make good use of the registration time.

KPL’s International Picture Book Center has organized three dragon-related picture book exhibitions to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. KPL librarians chose books with the theme of “New Year and the Dragon” and held the “You and I Are Dragons” thematic picture book exhibition until February 18. In addition, the exhibitions “Careful! There’s a Dragon in the Book” and “As Loong as A Dragon” were also held until March 3. The exhibitions illustrate dragons from different perspectives and present varying images of the creatures. KPL welcomed families to borrow picture books of their liking to read together at home.

On February 10 to 12, KPL held the “Joyous Dragon for Book Borrowers” Spring Festival lottery activity. Visitors who borrowed 20 books from the International Picture Book Center at a time could draw the lottery once. KPL welcomed all families to use their available time to participate in these rich variations of Spring Festival activities while enjoying the beauty of reading at the library.

According to KPL, visitors who borrowed a total of 10 books at the service counters of the International Picture Book Center on B1, 3^rd Floor, and 4^th Floor at any time on that day would receive a Spring Couplet coupon, each of which they could trade for a spring couplet or Doufang red paper at the trading stand located in front of the elevator at the International Picture Book Center on the B1 Floor of the Main Library.

In addition, KPL’s self-operated brand “Kaohsiung Daily Library” also held its promotional activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Visitors who purchased items for 300 NTD would be gifted with a piece of Doufang red paper, while those who purchased a total amount of 500 NTD would receive a spring couplet in addition to the Doufang red paper. The “Kaohsiung Daily Library” only prepared a limited amount of 60 pieces of Doufang red paper and 30 pieces of spring couplet and did not restock once they were all given away.

Furthermore, the Taiwanese television channel Kaohsiung Ting-Kin also held the “2024 Spring Festival Red Envelope” activity. Visitors trading their coupons for spring couplets in front of the elevator on the B1 Floor after borrowing books at KPL only had to speak out an encouraging phrase in Taiwanese to receive a limited-edition red envelope. KPL welcomed all citizens to spend their Spring Festival at KPL and allow their new year to be filled with happiness and fortune.

【Borrow Books for Spring Couplets】

On January 27 and 28, at 10 am and 2 pm

Visitors who borrowed ten books would receive a spring couplet coupon, which they can trade for a spring couplet.

【Picture Book Exhibitions】

“Careful! There’s a Dragon in the Book” Picture Book Exhibition

Tuesday, January 9 to Sunday, March 3, at the International Picture Book Center on the B1 Floor

“As Loong as A Dragon” Picture Book Exhibition

Tuesday, January 9 to Sunday, March 3, at the Caterpillar Table of the International Picture Book Center

“You and I Are Dragons” Thematic Picture Book Exhibition

Until Sunday, February 18, at the small book vehicle below the tree of the International Picture Book Center on the B1 Floor

【Storytelling Activities】

*Free of charge. Visitors are free to enter 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Chinese Language Storytelling with Ms. Amanda

On Wednesday, February 14, at 3 pm to 4 pm, hosted by Amanda

【Family Workshops】

*Registrations opened on Wednesday, January 31 at 10 am, free of charge

Creative Family Workshop, consisting of AR Experience and the Spring Festival Chapter

On Tuesday, February 13, from 2 pm to 3 pm, hosted by Siao Yu (Han Yu)

At AR Room of the International Picture Book Center on the B1 Floor

【Activities for Book Borrowers】*Limited quantity while supplies last

“Joyous Dragon for Book Borrowers” Spring Festival Lottery Activity

From Saturday, February 10 to Monday, February 12

Visitors who borrowed 20 books from the International Picture Book Center would have the opportunity to draw the lottery once (limited to once for every person) at the International Picture Book Center on the B1 Floor.