Travel Weekly / International Book Fair "The Smurfs" Make an Appearance & Blooming Flower Fields Are All the Rage

Travel Center / Reported from Taipei

This holiday, the most significant event in the north is likely the annual book fair. With Belgium as its theme, the exhibition showcases contemporary literature, design, and classic exhibits from Belgium, along with appearances by "The Smurfs." In the south, the Phoenix Tree Flower Sea and Anding Flower Sea Festival are also not to be missed. Make the most of the last holiday before the Lunar New Year and head out for a stroll!


▲ The 21st Taipei International Book Fair 2013, with Belgium as the Theme Country. (Photo / Courtesy of CityPass)

[2013 Taipei International Book Fair]
The 21st Taipei International Book Fair 2013, held from today until February 4, features Belgium as the Theme Country. It offers an in-depth look at the current state of the Belgian book market, cross-disciplinary refined publications, and a diverse range of best-selling works. The venue will display the latest publications from 22 publishers, covering a rich variety of genres including contemporary literature, fiction, history, philosophy, architecture, design, visual arts, children's books, and comics, showcasing the vibrant publishing scene in Belgium.

The Belgian National Pavilion will present four major classic exhibitions: "Wandering the Ninth Art – Classic Comics from the French-Speaking Community of Belgium," featuring works by over 60 Belgian comic masters across generations; "Victor Horta Art Nouveau Architecture Image Exhibition," showcasing 54 exquisite works of representative Belgian architecture; readers can also learn about the origins of the saxophone, made in Belgium, in the "Genius Inventor: Adolphe Sax" exhibition, where a saxophone standing 2 meters tall will be on display along with live performances by renowned musicians; the "Maurice Carême Special Exhibition" will feature the manuscripts and illustrated poetry of Belgium’s national poet.

Kitty Crowther, a Belgian children's book author and illustrator who won the 2010 highest honor in children's literature – the Hans Christian Andersen Award, will also be invited to Taiwan, allowing visitors to further explore Belgium's globally unique aesthetic and cultural influence from tradition to modernity.

Among the Belgian publishers invited to Taiwan, the most familiar to the public is IMPS, the copyright holder of "The Smurfs." Their publications include comics, storybooks, game books, novelty books, series, and film tie-ins, with over 120 titles sold globally through retail channels. The National Pavilion will also feature a "The Smurfs" character display. Publishers such as Casterman, known for "The Adventures of Tintin," and Dargaud, which primarily published early comic periodicals like "Tintin Comic Weekly," will also exhibit in Taiwan.

Exhibition Hours: January 30 – February 4, 2013, 10:00 – 18:00
Exhibition Venue: Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, Address: 1F, No. 5, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Taipei City
                Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 2, Address: 1F, No. 3, Songlian Rd., Taipei City
                Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 3, Address: 1F, No. 6, Songshou Rd., Taipei City

[Phoenix Tree Flower Sea]

▲ Agricultural Expo, Double Heart, and Double Happiness installations are the best spots to enjoy flowers during the Lunar New Year. (Photo / Provided by Yunlin County Government)
To create a beautiful landscape for the 2013 Agricultural Expo, Yunlin County Government collaborated with the Fengtongxiang Farmers’ Association this year to cultivate nearly 50 hectares of flower fields in the Fengtongxiang Childsari Community. The main flower field area is located along Yun 156 in Fengtong Township leading to Raoping Roadside, spanning 25 hectares. Currently in full bloom, the area features pure red, pink, white, and mixed-color cosmos and sunflowers arranged into Agricultural Expo, Double Heart, and Double Happiness designs, making it a prime flower viewing destination during the Lunar New Year.

[2013 Anding Flower Sea Festival]


▲ 2013 Anding Flower Sea Festival. (Photo / Sourced from the Anding District Office, Tainan City official website)

To beautify the rural landscape and create a high-quality living environment, landscape crops such as sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, and rapeseed flowers are planted on fallow farmland. When the flower seas are in full bloom, they present a breathtaking spectacle. To allow more people to enjoy the flower sea views and experience local characteristics, a Flower Sea Festival will be held during the Lunar New Year, alongside Anding cuisine and agricultural specialty exhibitions.