A total of 31 writers from Taiwan are taking part in the 2024 Authors’ Reading Month that kicked off July 1 in the Czech city of Brno and features Taiwan as the guest of honor, the Ministry of Culture said.
During her opening remarks, MOC Deputy Minister Lee Ching-hwi said it is a privilege for Taiwan to be the first guest of honor from Asia at the annual festival. Taiwan and Czechia share very close ties given their historical and geopolitical similarities, she said, adding that the event is expected to spur even more cultural exchanges between the two sides.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was a video featuring Li Yuan, MOC minister and renowned writer, reading the prologue of his literary work “Walking Home.” The recitation, which focused on Taiwan’s contemporary history and social developments, received resounding applause from the audience, the ministry said.
Speaking at the event, Czech Deputy Minister of Culture Ondřej Chrást reaffirmed the agency’s support for Taiwanese culture. He said he was deeply impressed by Li’s work, which reminded him of the similarities among his country, Taiwan and Ukraine.
According to the MOC, one of the two authors featured on the opening day was Li Ang, who read one of her short stories that addresses gender issues during Taiwan’s February 28 Incident of 1947. She also shared her personal experiences and discussed how freedom and democracy play a key role in Taiwan’s vibrant literary landscape during a Q&A session.
First held in Brno in 2000, the ARM is one of the largest Central and Eastern European literary festivals and has since expanded into multiple other cities. This year’s edition is also holding events in the Czech Republic’s Ostrava, as well as Prešov and Bratislava in Slovakia, through Aug. 3. (SFC-E)
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