The Hualien Cultural and Cultural Creative Industries Park opened the Little Bookland (繪本故事屋), the first national-level picture book hub in Eastern Taiwan. Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Taiwan Living Arts Foundation Chairman Peng Chun-heng (彭俊亨), and other distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony on Dec. 13.
Minister Li noted that since his appointment, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) has launched a range of initiatives to bolster Taiwan’s picture book industry, including programs to nurture emerging creators and the establishment of the Golden Picture Book Awards. He also emphasized the ministry’s commitment to revitalizing Guangfu Township (光復鄉) in Hualien county following flooding caused by Typhoon Ragasa through diverse cultural initiatives.
Chairman Peng highlighted that Little Bookland showcases Taiwan’s cultural and linguistic diversity through picture books, creating a natural and relaxed environment in which children can engage with reading. As a national-level picture book hub, he expressed hopes of collaborating with local bookstores and reading groups to further promote picture book creation.
According to the MOC, Little Bookland features two main themed spaces offering a wide range of services, including exhibitions, reading corners, family-friendly facilities, and an augmented reality (AR) space. Aiming for continued growth, the hub currently houses a collection of more than 3,000 picture books.
