Taipei:The National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) has launched the second Taiwan Writers Festival at the Taiwan Literature Hub in Taipei. The event, themed 'Both Directions at Once,' began on November 6 and will continue until November 22, with activities planned across 36 art spaces in Taipei and Tainan. This year's festival brings together over 100 writers, translators, publishers, and artists from Taiwan and around the world.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of China (Taiwan), the festival's opening was attended by notable figures including Minister of Culture Li Yuan, NMTL Director Chen Ying-fang, Curator Hung Hung, and Deputy Representative Martina Rubešková of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, among others.

Minister Li highlighted the significant achievements for Taiwanese literature this year, including the International Booker Prize win for "Taiwan Travelogue," Ping Lu's "To the East of the East" being longlisted for the U.S. National Book Awards, and the Italian edition of "Ghost Town" winning the sixth Pisa Book Translation Award. He attributed these successes to the groundwork laid by pioneering figures in the field through effective policymaking and promotional initiatives.

Director Chen emphasized that the festival acts as a platform for continuous dialogue and is part of a broader effort to cultivate book culture. She noted that NMTL is committed to supporting emerging writers by facilitating translation, publication, and interdisciplinary projects. Esteemed guests at the festival include American writer Barbara Demick, "Taiwan Travelogue" author Yang Shuang-zi, Japanese novelist Yuko Miura, and South Korean translator Isaac Kim.