Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) Books, writers and publishers from Australia will be featured at the 2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) next month, the Australia Commerce and Industry Office (ACIO), said Monday.
Australia will be the feature country in the book fair, with 25 publishers from Australia attending, said Lauren Hu, media and culture manager of ACIO's Economic Policy Section. ACIO serves as Australia's representative office in Taiwan in the
absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Four special events are scheduled for the show, Hu said, consisting of an Australian artists' books exhibition, a theme exhibition of well-known illustrator Shaun Tan, an Australian way of life exhibition, and a "Show me Australia" photography competition.
Tony and Maureen Wheeler, founders of the popular travel guide "Lonely Planet," will be among the Australian guests invited to share their experiences with local readers and counterparts. Markus Zusak, author of "The Book Thief" and Tan, one of the best-known Australian illustrators of children books, will also attend the show.
The TIBE, which will be held this year from Feb. 13 to 18 in Taipei, is one of the largest book fairs in Asia, registering more than 400,000 visitors last year. A total of 699 companies set up 1,821 booths at the 2007 show, including 358 publishers from 40 countries.