On October 14th, New York time, the full-screen poster of the "2023 Tianfu Book Fair" landed on the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York, and was broadcast twice. 2023 Tianfu Book Fair highlighted the characteristics of an international book fair, and for the first time set up an "International Pavilion" in the main exhibition hall. The fair also organized branch venues and exhibition areas in countries such as Germany, France, and Australia, showcasing new high-quality development achievements in Sichuan's publishing industry, and making the world focus on this shining business card of Sichuan's cultural strong province construction.
According to public information, the bustling New York Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, has over 1.5 million visitors every day and an annual flow of people of over 500 million. It has a history of over 100 years. Currently, the New York Times Square has become the forefront for global well-known brands to prove their brand influence to the world. Many well-known Chinese brands, including Tencent and JD, have left their footprints here. With the goal of creating an international book fair brand in the new era, the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair, hosted by Sichuan Xinhua Distribution Group, made its debut at Times Square, marking the increasing cultural penetration and overseas influence of the "Tianfu Book Fair" brand.
The 2023 Tianfu Book Fair, with the theme of "Mutual Learning Among Cultures Amid Fragrance of Books", sets up an International Pavilion of about 500 square meters for the first time in the main exhibition hall. It includes the China International Communications Group exhibition area, the Sichuan Publishing "Going Global" achievement exhibition area, and the original book exhibition and sales area, showcasing and selling excellent Chinese publications that have been distributed overseas. The International Pavilion will focus on displaying over 1,000 types and approximately 6,500 copies of original literature, children's books, and picture books in English, Japanese, and other languages. The Harry Potter Pop-up Store, which has attracted much attention, is also located in the International Pavilion, bringing readers a new experience with the full range of original Harry Potter series books and official peripheral cultural and creative products.
Not only was the "International Pavilion" set up for the first time, but branch venues and exhibition areas in overseas countries and regions such as Germany, France, and Australia also appeared on stage, focusing on presenting Sichuan's publications by dividing them into different types, like literature, food and tourism, and cultural and creative products that reflect characteristics of Sichuan's culture. A series of supporting cultural activities also to be held, including cultural lectures on the three Su scholars' culture, a panda-themed traditional Chinese painting experience, and a face-changing performance of Chinese Sichuan opera. These activities enable overseas readers to experience the charm of Sichuan culture and excellent traditional Chinese culture, further enhancing the influence of Chinese culture, and making the trustworthy, lovable, and respectable image of China more real and tangible.
The international vision of the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair are not limited to the overseas venue. As a heavyweight guest of "bringing in" concept, the fair has invited Mr. Bill Porter, winner of the Special Book Award of China and American author, to serve as the ambassador of the Tianfu Book Fair. The fair has also invited Hans Christian Andersen Awards for Illustration winners, overseas librarians, and international sinologists to participate in the "Reading Sichuan" cultural activities. In addition, there are heavyweight events such as the "International Children's Publishing Forum", "Symposium on Overseas Libraries and Chinese Publishing Industry", and "Experience Exchange Meeting on 'Belt and Road' Publishing Cooperation" that have caused a sensation.
So far, the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair has received continuous attention and coverage from nearly 30 overseas media outlets and many overseas social media such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. The presence of the Tianfu Book Fair has spread to more than 150 countries and regions around the world, covering five continents. This representative cultural business card and brand of Sichuan is continuously attracting global attention.