News List  [Promotional Event] Illuminating Knowledge Without Borders: Academia Sinica at the Frankfurt Book Fair

The global publishing industry's annual feast, the 75^th Frankfurt Book Fair, is set to take place from October 18^th to 22^nd. This year, Academia Sinica is once again showcasing 15 recently published scholarly works at the event. These works span a diverse range of research areas, including Taiwanese history and geography, indigenous peoples, archaeology, politics, law, linguistics, philology, philosophy, medicine, and food culture, displaying the institution's multifaceted and rich academic prowess.

 

Since its inception in 1949, the Frankfurt Book Fair has annually attracted tens of thousands of authors, publishing professionals, and cultural figures, making it not only a platform for international book rights exchange and networking but also a crucial barometer for observing global publishing trends. This year's fair spotlights Slovenia as the theme country and estimates to have the participation of nearly a hundred countries and regions, with over 3,000 exhibitors, bearing witness to this cultural gala. 

 

Under the theme "Stories Ahead: Taiwan Lit Now," the Taiwan Pavilion is organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and features areas such as "Books from Taiwan," "Award-Winning Titles," " Publishing Houses," and "Theme Book Section: Identity." It is expected to bring together 70 Taiwanese publishing houses and showcase 350 works on the international stage.

 

Rare Historical Materials and Unique Perspectives, Showcasing the Multifaceted Dimensions of Taiwan Studies

According to this year's public survey report released by TAICCA, more than 90% of participants in the domestic publishing industry believe that development of local content is a crucial direction for the publishing sector. The 15 books introduced by Academia Sinica this time focus on the achievements of the past five years, highlighting the diverse characteristics of research fields in Taiwan. In the field of Taiwanese history and geography, Selden Map and Tn̂g-lâng: An Exploration of Geographical Knowledge and World Vision in East and Southeast Asia, 1500-1620, centers around the long-forgotten East Asian ancient map known as the Selden Map, preserved at the Bodleian Library of the University of Oxford for centuries. This book unveils the interactions and exchanges among various powers in the East and Southeast Asian seas during the 17th century, as perceived by the Tn̂g-lâng people in the Philippines. 

 

Through precious archaeological imagery, Academic Inheritance Crossing Centuries and Borders: Memorial Collection of Dr. Mao-yuan Liu's Contributions to Taiwanese Archaeology and Folklore Studies leads us into the academic inheritance and research journey of Dr. Mao-yuan Liu, the first Taiwanese scholar to obtain a PhD in archaeology from Japan, and his invaluable contributions to Taiwanese archaeology. Our Ordeals: Notes on the Life of Yang Ke-huang and Hsieh Hsueh-hung, 1949-1977, the part of Tears of a Taiwanese Soul series, is the first time to publicly present the precious historical materials on the experiences of Taiwan Communist Party founding member Hsieh Hsueh-hung and her revolutionary companion Yang Ke-huang after the end of the February 28 Incident when they returned to China, shedding light on the challenging circumstances faced by Taiwanese people in mainland China at the time. 

 

As the Taiwanese Cultural Association celebrates its centennial, World．Enlightenment．Taiwan: Centenary of Taiwanese Cultural Association explores its influence on various aspects of Taiwan, including its economy, modernity, environment, literature, theater, left-wing movements, and indigenous cultures. Additionally, The Establishment of the Asia-Pacific Security Regime and the Conclusion of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty During the Cold War focuses on the behind-the-scenes role played by the United States during the era of the "Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty" and the treaty's significance for the Republic of China's legal status, stability in Taiwan, and the broader U.S. Asia-Pacific security system.

 

Recent discussions on the rights and development of indigenous peoples have garnered widespread attention. State, Environmental Governance, and the Cultural Practices of Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan delves deep into the transfer of indigenous land rights, affecting ecological environments and the transformation of traditional cultures. It also addresses the traditional life experiences of indigenous peoples, including their economy, language, music, rituals, and how these are integrated and translated into contemporary culture.

 

Exploring the Intersection of Theory and Practice: Medical Sociology and Food Culture

We also pay attention to popular topics closely related to daily life, such as healthcare and food. From a medical sociology perspective, Mapping the Landscapes of Care: Displacing, Reassembling and Imagining Chronic Disease Practices in Taiwan focuses on the context of introducing European and American healthcare and policies for chronic diseases in Taiwan and localizing them within the processes of local institutions, health education, policies, communities, and patient lives. Exploring phenomena related to food photo-taking behavior spread and shared in cyberspace, as well as Taiwanese tilapia aquaculture science, Food Cultures and Technologies delves into the interaction between food, culture, and technology. Furthermore, dialogues between Eastern and Western knowledge systems are showcased in collections such as New Horizons in Political Thought, Controversies in the Context of the Enlightenment of Modern Times: Ethics and Humanism, Cultural Interpretation and Interaction among Traditions and Philology, Philosophy, and Other Approaches in the Study of Classical Chinese Texts demonstrating rigorous research on political, legal, and humanistic issues.

 

From Cutting-Edge Research to the Forefront of Publications, Academia Sinica's Path to the International Stage

In the post-pandemic era, the new wave of publishing is unstoppable, and Academia Sinica is committed to accumulating and disseminating academic knowledge while closely following global publishing trends. At the 75^th Frankfurt Book Fair, the 15 selected publications from Academia Sinica will be showcased both physically at the event and online at the Taiwan Pavilion. We invite you to join us online to explore the infinite possibilities of knowledge together!

 

Frankfurt Book Fair (Taiwan Pavilion)

Date: October 18- October 22, 2023

Venue: Frankfurt Trade Fair Grounds

           Taiwan Pavilion (Hall 6.0 D57)

Organized by: Taiwan Creative Content Agency

Co-organized by: Taipei Book Fair Foundation

Link to Taiwan Pavilion (Online)