Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, who wrote the six-volume series “The Witcher,” appeared Monday at a press event for the upcoming Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE).

“Here I come!” Sapkowski called out to his Taiwanese fans at the Polish pavilion, comprised of three exhibits featuring books, illustrations, and archives from the Eastern European country.

He also posed with a sword, one of the main tools the witcher in his series uses to slay monsters.

The pavilion was set up by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, the event’s organizer, in collaboration with the Polish Book Institute and the Polish Office in Taipei.

Poland is serving as the book fair’s “guest of honor” for the first time since it was founded in 1987.

Eight Polish writers, including Sapkowski and Marzanna Bogumila Kielar, a poet and professor of philosophy, have been invited to give talks at the book fair, the organizer said.

On Saturday, a “Polish Night” will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with music from Poland, including the band Dagadana.

The band will perform a mix of Polish and Ukrainian folk music, jazz and electronic music live, and bigos, a signature Polish stew, will be served on site for visitors to enjoy, according to the organizer.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, Vice Culture Minister Lee Lien-chuan (???) said Taiwan and Poland share many similarities, in that both countries are equally striving for freedom and democracy.

Lee said this year’s “the Multiverse of Reading”-themed event aims to enrich the public with the fun of reading by combining the five senses.

The exhibition will cover a wide range of sections, ranging from children’s books to Chinese-language literature, he added.

The TIBE 2023 will be held over six days at Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center from Tuesday to Sunday.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel