Spanish translations of Taiwan illustrated works will be spotlighted at the Guadalajara International Book Fair kicking off Nov. 24 as part of government efforts to help local talents tap a global market of 500 million readers, according to the Ministry of Culture.
Organized by the MOC, the Taiwan pavilion at the world’s second largest publishing fair will showcase a record 41 Spanish-language graphic novels and children’s storybooks, including titles that have been especially translated for the event in Mexico.
Among these titles are “Spit the Seeds” by children’s author and illustrator Lee Chin-lun and several works by Jimmy Liao, whose hugely popular picture books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and adapted into movies and TV shows.
In a further effort to promote Taiwan’s illustrated books sector, the MOC has invited Lee and 61Chi, an award-winning graphic novelist, to attend the fair and sign autographs. Lee is also set to speak at a forum titled Interpreting a Concept alongside artists from Argentina, Mexico and Spain.
In addition to the Spanish translations, Taiwan’s pavilion will feature a further seven exhibition sections on topics spanning culture, Chinese-language learning and fiction. A total 462 works from 55 local publishers in various languages will be showcased at the expo running through Dec. 2.
Launched in 1987, the Guadalajara International Book Fair is the world’s biggest Spanish-language publishing fair, drawing over 2,000 exhibitors and more than 800,000 visitors last year. (CPY-E)
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