Mutual Learning among Cultures amid Fragrance of Books! The TIANFU BOOK FAIR, a prestigious literary extravaganza that has triumphantly unfolded over four editions, captivating not only the publishing and distribution industry but also readers at home and abroad, is poised to kick off this autumn! On September 12, a ceremony was held in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, to mark the 30-day countdown to the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair. This momentous occasion signifies the commencement of the final sprint of the preparations for this remarkable convergence of the literary realm and the celebration of reading.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed leaders and guests, including Dong Yiwei, Deputy Director General and Director General Level Officer (Grade I) of the Printing and Distribution Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ai Limin, President of the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, Wang Hongjing, Vice President of the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, Yin Chuhong, Supervisor of the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, Meng Hua, Deputy Director General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Tang Xue, Director Level Officer (Grade I) of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee, Ran Qiping, Deputy Director of the Department for Party-Related Affairs and Mass Work of Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone Administrative Committee, and Liu Longzhang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Chairman, and General Manager of Sichuan Xinhua Publishing and Distribution Group, as well as Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Chairman of Xinhua Winshare Publishing and Media Co., Ltd. The ceremony was presided over by Ke Jiming, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of Sichuan Xinhua Publishing and Distribution Group.

Liu Longzhang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Chairman, and General Manager of Sichuan Xinhua Publishing and Distribution Group, as well as Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Chairman of Xinhua Winshare Publishing and Media Co., Ltd., addressed the ceremony.

The 2023 Tianfu Book Fair, centered around the implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection tour in Sichuan, aims to create a vibrant and diverse reading carnival with several notable features. Firstly, it emphasizes the gathering of industry professionals. With nearly 30 publishing and media groups, over 300 publishers, more than 100 library book suppliers, and multiple cultural-creative institutions taking part, and almost 20 large-scale exchange activities to be held, it serves as a platform for industry peers across the country to meet and communicate. Secondly, it highlights the joy of reading. Dozens of exciting reading and cultural activities are to be held. Thirdly, it places importance on internationalization. Overseas experts and libraries are invited and a series of international cultural exchange activities will be held, in a bid to provide an opportunity for overseas audiences to experience the richness of traditional Chinese culture. Furthermore, it gives prominence to the integration of online and offline platforms. Efforts have been made to develop online platforms and construct the Tianfu Book Fair: Cloud World exhibition matrix, which targets the whole Internet, serves the whole country, and exploits online and offline synergy, with the aim of meeting readers’ diversified needs in various scenarios. Lastly, it focuses on public-interest cultural programs. Main and branch exhibition venues will be set up throughout the province and in Hainan, bringing reading and cultural activities to local communities. Discount vouchers for cultural consumption will be distributed to the public, and a variety of programs will be carried out for the benefit of the people, such as book purchases with gifts, book donations to rural areas, and mobile book sales.

Sharing by Li Yutong, a representative of readers and a fan of the Tianfu Book Fair

Since 2021, I have been following the Tianfu Book Fair. The numerous cultural dialogues it offers have provided me with invaluable opportunities to engage closely with esteemed authors and publishers. The 2022 edition introduced a host of innovative elements. For example, the utilization of panoramic virtual reality (VR) technology, which allowed attendees to experience the entire exhibition by one finger without the constraints of crowded spaces, ensuring convenience and comfort. Moreover, there were storytelling activities that actively involved participants in the creative process. Furthermore, the fair featured commendable initiatives such as the Brighten Small Reading Wishes public welfare campaign, which aimed to support left-behind children in rural areas, and the meticulously planned thematic exhibitions at the Meishan San Su Shrine Museum. These initiatives not only enriched the profoundness and diversity of the exchanges but also enhanced the accessibility of reading resources. Needless to say, I am eagerly to see what the Tianfu Book Fair of this year will bring to us!

Subsequently, the leaders present jointly pressed the start column, officially initiating the 30-day countdown to the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair.

To create a lively and inviting ambiance to entice a greater number of readers to the festivities, 32 countdown boards will be strategically placed throughout the province for the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair, spanning across different cities and prefectures, relevant government departments, publishing institutions, representative stores under Xinhua Winshare, and other prominent reading venues.

Officials from the Publicity Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, the Publicity Department of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee, and Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone Administrative Committee, as well as members of the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair Organizing Committee and utive Committee, representatives from news media, reader representatives, and heads of relevant departments from the host and organizing institutions, attended the ceremony.

The 2023 Tianfu Book Fair is supervised by the Printing and Distribution Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Publicity Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, and the Chengdu Municipal People's Government. It is hosted by Sichuan Xinhua Publishing and Distribution Group and organized by Xinhua Winshare Publishing and Media Co., Ltd., with the support from the Publishers Association of China, the China Periodicals Association, the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, the Copyright Society of China, the Printing Technology Association of China, the Taofen Foundation, and publicity departments of the CPC municipal (prefectural) committees in the province. The event will be held from October 13 to 16, under the permanent theme of "Enjoy Reading, Enjoy Life," with the annual theme of "Mutual Learning among Cultures amid Fragrance of Books." It aims to be a grand celebration of books and a significant event in the publishing and distribution sector. The fair will be held in a way that features domestic and international synchronization, integration of online and offline platforms, combination of exhibition and sales, and promotion of reading through various activities.

The 2023 Tianfu Book Fair is anticipated to be larger in scale compared to previous years. It will involve the participation of nearly 30 publishing and media groups, over 300 publishers, more than 100 library book suppliers, and numerous cultural-creative institutions. A new International Pavilion will be launched to showcase outstanding Chinese publications which have been distributed internationally. Additionally, a Game and Animation Zone will be introduced, featuring the debut of China Online Games Gather (COG), a game and animation exhibition, to highlight Sichuan's accomplishments in game publishing, as well as its prominent enterprises and relevant products. The Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan City and the Xinhua Bookstores in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture will serve as key branch venues. The event will encompass 19 major activities across five categories, including special events organized by national ministries and commissions, branded activities of the Tianfu Book Fair, innovative and distinctive activities, and international exchange activities. To benefit the public, discount vouchers for cultural consumption will be issued.

The main exhibition venue, located in the Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center in Chengdu, will feature areas for Xi Jinping's works, themed publications, permanent and annual guests of honor, Sichuan publishing, key publishing groups and individual publishing entities, the International Pavilion, new retail experience, cultural-creative products exhibition and sales, parent-child reading, smart reading, educational service experience, library supplying services, game and animation, events and activities, new media live streaming, news media outlets, and logistics support. Beijing-headquartered China Publishing Group will participate as a permanent guest of honor, and Phoenix Publishing & Media Group from Jiangsu Province will partake as the annual one. A wide range of reading promotion activities with local characteristics and extensive participation will be carried out throughout the province.