After the successful release of the book City Wings: A Century of the Taichung Prefectural Hall, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government has created another impressive publication focusing on the Prefectural Hall. The beautiful pop-up book Let's Go! A Fantastic Voyage to Taichung Prefectural Hall was unveiled on the 27th. A press event for the book was held at Taichung City Hall on Taiwan Boulevard, presided over by Deputy Director Tseng Neng-ting. The book is now officially available for limited pre-orders at certain independent bookstores in Taichung or can be borrowed from Taichung City Library branches. Upcoming promotional events include guided tours of the Prefectural Hall, and pop-up card and handmade book workshops. Everyone is welcome to sign up and join in the fun!
Deputy Director Tseng noted that the Taichung Prefectural Hall is a vital cultural asset in Taichung, having witnessed the city’s evolution over time. Following the successful completion of the restoration project of its main structure in 2023, the initial book about the Prefectural Hall, titled City Wings: A Century of the Taichung Prefectural Hall, was published earlier this year and earned an Excellence Award in the promotional literature category from Taiwan Historica in 2024. This time, the new illustrated pop-up book seeks to present the historical background, architectural beauty, and cultural value of the Prefectural Hall in an intuitive manner and guide readers of all ages on a fantastic voyage through time as they explore the Prefectural Hall with the characters featured in the book.
To ensure that Let's Go! A Fantastic Voyage to Taichung Prefectural Hall is both educational and entertaining, the editing team invited several individuals as consultants for the book, including architect Kuo Chun-pei, who won the Outstanding Architects Award last year, Professor Liu Chao-hua from the Department of History and Professor Su Jui-pi from the Department of Architecture at Tunghai University. They provided professional insights and research on history and architecture. Additionally, the illustrations in the book were created by Chan Po, an artist with an architectural background, who skillfully combined fun and educational elements with a sense of whimsy. This effort transformed the Prefectural Hall into exquisite paper art, seamlessly integrating history, architecture, and paper craftsmanship, making the Taichung Prefectural Hall come alive on the pages and offering readers a rich visual experience.
To align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the pop-up book Let's Go! A Fantastic Voyage to Taichung Prefectural Hall is made from eco-friendly paper and employs techniques that save paper. Each copy is crafted by hand by the “Power Angle” team from the Spinal Cord Injury Center, giving the book a unique texture and warmth that makes every pop-up art piece of the Prefectural Hall distinct. This approach not only blends cultural assets with social responsibility but also offers readers a unique tactile experience.
To provide more people with a deeper insight into the history and aesthetics of the Taichung Prefectural Hall, a series of promotional events are being planned. These will include guided tours with professional guides to explore the Prefectural Hall, taking participants on a fantastic voyage inspired by the illustrated book; DIY workshops for creating exquisite, lovely pop-up cards of the Prefectural Hall to bring home; and opportunities to make personalized mini pop-up books to tell their own stories. The book Let's Go! A Fantastic Voyage to Taichung Prefectural Hall can be pre-ordered in limited quantities at the Creative Store in the Taichung Literature Museum, Central Bookstore, Paper Books, and ASAHIKARI. On the other hand, City Wings: A Century of the Taichung Prefectural Hall is now available at major bookstores, both physical and online, across Taiwan. Additionally, both books can be borrowed from various branches of the Taichung City Library. For more information about the events and how to register, please check the official website of the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs (https://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw/). Everyone is invited to join in exploring the rich history and innovative features of the old city area.