Kuala Lumpur: The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia is teaming up with Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur to present a series of engaging seminars on Taiwan's independent bookstores and literature. This initiative, set to begin on May 31, will feature an array of authors and cultural workers sharing their insights and experiences.

According to Focus Taiwan, the second edition of the "Taiwan Literature Seminars" will be hosted at the Eslite Forum in the Starhill KL shopping mall. The event will kick off with the screening of "Poetries from the Bookstores II," a documentary by director Hou Chi-jan that delves into the world of Taiwan's independent bookstores.

The seminars aim to deepen participants' understanding of how independent publishing can broaden readers' perspectives and foster a sense of freedom and confidence through reading, as highlighted by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture (MOC) in a recent statement. Director Hou will lead a seminar on June 7, followed by visionary independent publisher Chen Shia-min on July 5, and Li Hui-chen, a reading culture advocate, on July 19.

From mid-August, four prominent Taiwanese authors representing different generations-Yang Shuang-zi, Hung Ai-chu, Kuo Chiang-sheng, and Ping Lu-will discuss their creative journeys and their steadfast dedication to writing despite various challenges. Their works, which span history, everyday life, and society, will offer Malaysian readers a rich glimpse into Taiwanese literature and stories from different eras, according to the Ministry of Culture.