Department of Cultural Affairs

By Gloria Cho
Staff Writer

The 2013 Taipei Literature Festival, a festive embodying seminars, movies, landscapes, broadcasting and exhibitions, explores the terrain through unconventional methods beyond just reading.

Running all the way to June 15, the festival is planned under the umbrella theme of "Across Reading – My City," and is "a vital and lively presentation of Taipei City," noted Liou Wei-gong, Commissioner of Taipei Cultural Department in a press conference February 20.

"The discrepancies of the capital city are our heritage," Liou added.

Renowned Japanese author Tsushima Yūko was invited to open the nearly four-month long event with three meetings and speeches. Tsushima, daughter of eminent writer Dazai Osamu, is a frequent winner of literature awards in Japan. She is talented in capturing unique thoughts in a chaotic time-space background.

 In her work Much too Brutal based on the the Ooshen Event which occurred in 1930 during the Japanese Colonial Period in Taiwan, Tsushima brings a unique viewpoint to the historic incident. During her visit to Taipei from February 22 to 24, Tsushima will share her opinions in terms of literature.

Five speeches starring masters specializing in Zen, poetry, design, and bookstores will delve into the essence of literature. In addition, 20 cross-reading seminars will extend issues to various perspectives in life such as taste and clothing; landscape and adventure; and hand-painting and creative writing.

Movies adapted from literature are also a means to appreciate literary works. "We are expanding the territory by stepping into the war, music, and fantasy terrain, beyond affections among family and lovers, this year," said Venus Chen, Chief Executive Officer of the Taiwan Film & Culture Association the same day.

A total of 80 screenings of 15 films will be programmed in Spot Taipei and Huanshan Creative Park.

In addition to reading and watching, strolling the locations that appear in books offers a more personal touch of literature. Local author Liu Ka-shiang has mapped out five key transportation stations and recommended several literature works for each as a reference for visitors.

Among the five spots, "Taipei Main Station has a unique meaning to outsiders coming from other parts of Taiwan," pointed out Liou.

Visit the official website of the event at http://2013TLF.culture.gov.tw (2013台北文學季) to learn more about the details.