Virus Outbreak: Ministry changes book trade show to online-only event
By Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporter
The Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) scheduled to open on Tuesday next week has been changed to an online-only event, the Ministry of Culture said yesterday.
A forum for publishing professionals and the exhibition’s online presentation would be held, the ministry said in a statement.
Given changes in the local COVID-19 situation, the Central Epidemic Command Center on Tuesday requested organizers of public gatherings to assess the necessity of holding their events, as well as the degree of risk involved, it said.
Taipei Book Fair Foundation director Wang Hsiu-yin, second left, and other organizers of the Taipei International Book Exhibition promote the show in Taipei on Dec. 29 last year.
A series of discussions on the legacy of martial law and authoritarianism are to be held at the Taipei International Book Exhibition this month, featuring findings and analysis by the Transitional Justice Commission.
The commission and publisher Book Republic organized the series, entitled “Escaping the Nation’s Labyrinth of Memory: What Authoritarian Symbols and Records Can Tell Us,” to help people navigate narratives through textual analysis and comparisons with other nations.
The four-day series is to begin on Thursday next week with a discussion between commission Chairwoman Yang Tsui (楊翠), Polish-language translator Lin Wei-yun (林蔚昀), and Polish author and artist Pawel Gorecki comparing
Taipei, Jan. 19 (CNA) The annual Taiwan Lantern Festival, slated for Feb. 26 to March 7 in Hsinchu, and several municipal versions have been canceled, due to an escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Taipei International Book Exhibition will be held later this month, as scheduled, officials announced Tuesday.
CECC advises canceling large holiday events
By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) strongly advises event organizers to postpone or cancel large public events if they cannot strictly conduct a risk assessment and make a comprehensive plan for implementing disease prevention measures, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said yesterday.
As the Lunar New Year holiday is approaching and many celebrations are being prepared, the CECC must remind people to remain vigilant, said Chen, who heads the center.
“Mass gatherings are usually packed with large crowds for extended periods, and people can easily come into close contact with other people, so there is a high risk of disease transmission,” Chen said. “COVID-19 prevention would become highly difficult if a suspected case or a cluster of infections occurs at one of the events.”