"Reading Fight! Be Energetic GOGO!"  The Taichung City Library held a lively press conference for the launch of the "2024 Taichung Reading Festival" at the Jingwu Library(精武圖書館) today(October 5th).  The event was hosted by Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun(陳佳君局長) and featured judo national champion Yang Yung-wei(楊勇緯) as the Reading Ambassador.  Together with Director Chen, Yang announced the official start of the Reading Festival, which kicked off with a spectacular judo performance by the Houli Elementary School students.  This year's theme is “Reading and Sports”(閱讀運動), offering a series of activities that combine reading and sports from now  until December.

Taichung is not only a cultural city with a strong "reading power" but also a vibrant city full of energetic sports. Director Chen Chia-chun noted that since Mayor Lu took office, she has placed great importance on cultural development, allocating NT$100 million annually for three consecutive years for book purchases. Additionally, funding has been allocated each year to upgrade old libraries, and central government subsidies have been sought.  This year’s Taichung Reading Festival uniquely integrates the spirit of sports into reading promotion, hoping that citizens will develop a persistent reading habit, just like physical exercise.  Director Chen also quoted Yang Yung-wei as saying "After the competitions, regardless of winning or losing, I enjoy focusing on the process.  Reading, like sports, is about enjoying the process, and the greatest reward is self-improvement."  As the Reading Ambassador, judo athlete Yang Yung-Wei shared how books have helped him face pressure and setbacks in competitions, offering solutions to challenges. He particularly recommended three books:  《跑過、煩惱過，才能發現的事》("Things You Discover After Running and Worrying"), 《生於奮鬥》("Born from Struggle"), and《從1%的選擇開始，去做你真正渴望的事》("Start with 1% Choices to Do What You Truly Desire"), encouraging everyone to read anytime, anywhere.

To let citizens fully experience the dual charm of reading and sports, Taichung Public Library has planned a variety of rich and diverse activities, including the 「生活好書福市集」("Good Books for Life Market"), 「一館一展」("One Library, One Exhibit"),「閱讀運動書展」("Reading and Sports Book Fair"), 「閱讀運動講座」("Reading and Sports Lecture Series"), 「好書交換」("Good Books Exchange"), and 「小小愛書人」"Little Book Lovers".   Among these, the popular "Good Books for Life Market" returned on November 23, featuring participation from art groups, libraries, and local community organizations. Sports elements will also be incorporated, with related organizations invited to perform and set up booths, adding vitality and a literary atmosphere to the market. Families and children are all invited to join in the fun.

 The "Reading and Sports Lecture Series" kicks off this afternoon with sports career planner Tseng Chuan-Yu(曾荃鈺) and on October 26 with hurdling champion Chen Chieh(陳傑), who will share insights into the life challenges of athletes and career planning after retirement. This will provide citizens with a deeper understanding of the hard work and perseverance behind athletes’ success. Everyone is welcome to attend these inspiring talks. For more event details, please visit the official Taichung Public Library website.

 Today’s event was attended by Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun, Acting Director of the Sports Bureau You Zhi-xiang(游志祥代理局長), City Government Advisors Tao Zhen-hui(陶振煇市政顧問)and Wu Rong-yi(吳榮益市政顧問), Taichung Public Library Director Tseng Hui-chun(曾惠君館長) , North District Chief Chen Zong-chi(陳宗祈區長), Houli Elementary School Director Liang Jun-min, Taichung Storytelling Association Chairperson Lin Hsiu-ling, Taichung Mountain, Sea, and Tun Storytelling Association Chairperson Wang Shu-fen, Secretary-General of the Taichung International Care for Indonesia Association Li Hsiu-hui, among others.   Legislative Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang(江啟臣副院長) , Legislator Huang Jian-hao(黃健豪), Lo Ting-wei(羅廷瑋), City Councilors Chen Cheng-hsien(陳政顯), Chen Wen-cheng(陳文政), and Lee Chung (李中) also sent representatives to attend. Neighborhood leaders from the North District were also in attendance. The atmosphere was filled with energy and the delightful blend of books and sports.