2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition: Opening day highlights

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Even though the weather was cold & bad weather in Taipei the 2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE 2008), anticipated by worldwide media, government executives, and publishing experts, started on February 13 at the Taipei World Trade Center Halls 1 to 3. The show organizer, the Taipei Book Fair Foundation (TBFF), presented a special book award named the "Taipei International Book Exhibition Prize" (TIBE Prize) to publishers and authors for the first time.

Comic fans crowded, cosplayers became a focus at Comic Hall

The Comic & Anime Hall, located at the Taipei Show (Hall 2), held the first opening reception party with many cosplayers from "Romantic Versailles Star", spokespeople of its pavilion (Eddie Yu-yen Peng and Janine Chun-ning Chang), and several experts from the comic and anime industry like Rex How & Riyoko Ikeda.

Two days ago many participants were still stocking goods for the main show, and the organizer (TBFF) set several warning and control lines to welcome comic and anime fans to the main show. As a result, fans and readers filled the booths in the opening hours. The comic pavilion suddenly became a hot center-stage in this exhibition.

First-ever Taipei international Book Exhibition Prize

This year the TBFF decided to award the "TIBE Prize" based off their experiences at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The goal of the award was to choose the best books and promote them in the global publishing market.

According to the TBFF, this award is very important because it will be a kernel of the show. If a book wins this award it will win the rare opportunity of gaining visibility in a worldwide market.

Executives, officials, spokespeople, and readers gather over TWTC

The spokespeople in the Hall 2 and the TBFF also invited Ashin from Mayday to become the spokesman of TIBE 2008. As many publishing executives worldwide, government officials in Taiwan, entertainers, and spokespeople from Taiwan gather for this show, the publishing industry will have a bright future with more international exchanges and trade opportunities.

Day 1 key photos