Taipei: The 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) officially commenced at the Taipei World Trade Center, launching its 34th edition as the premier international book event in Taiwan. This year’s exhibition will run through Sunday, featuring an impressive array of 509 stands representing 29 countries and welcoming over 60 international authors.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Taipei Book Fair Foundation announced that this year marks the second consecutive post-pandemic event where TiBE has hosted more than 500 stands. Prior to the pandemic, the 2019 edition saw participation from 735 publishers across 52 countries with a total of 1,859 stands. The 2026 exhibition carries the theme “CreaTHAIvity,” highlighting Thailand as the guest of honor for the third time, with its last appearance in this capacity being in 2014.

The foundation noted that at least 18 Thai writers are anticipated to attend, including Veeraporn Nitiprapha, a notable figure as the first Thai writer to win the Southeast Asian Writer
s Award twice, and former Thai parliamentarian Pita Limjaroenrat. Nitiprapha’s acclaimed novel “Memories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat” and Limjaroenrat’s “The Almost Prime Minister” have been translated into Chinese for the Taiwanese audience, with an English edition of Nitiprapha’s work also available.

The event will feature other celebrated international authors such as Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto, South Korean novelist Cheon Myeong-kwan, and American novelist Anthony Marra. The exhibition’s schedule includes daily openings at 10 a.m., with closing times set at 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday, extending to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and concluding at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Attendees can benefit from various admission options. The exhibition offers free entry to students in Taiwan under 18, individuals with physical disabilities, and one accompanying person. Additionally, residents from southern areas including Taoyuan, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung counties can gain free access with same-day h
igh-speed rail or train tickets. Single-day tickets are available at NT$180 (US$4.75), with discounted rates for students aged 18 and above, seniors aged 65 and older, and the general public after 6 p.m. during the last three days of the event.