2024 Reading Festival in PingTung

The 2024 Reading Festival in PingTung is inspired by the concept of “reading the land.” Located in southern Taiwan, Pingtung has historically faced limited access to information. However, despite the digital era allowing instant access to data, cultural depth and values can only be truly understood through local interaction and experience.
The theme of 2024, “Decoding the New South,” focuses on five key dimensions: “The New Era of Women’s Empowerment,” “Fusion of Generations,” “New Creative Exchanges,” “Emerging Industries,” and “New Gender Perspectives.”
Over three months, the festival featured lectures, exhibitions, and various events, ensuring that reading extends beyond books—immersing into the land and daily life, creating a new journey of cultural exploration.
Decoding the New South: The 2024 Reading Festival in PingTung centered around “Decoding the New South,” offering a multifaceted cultural perspective and reading experience.
The program included lectures, exhibitions, guided cultural walks, and markets, while also integrating the triennial Wang Ye Worship Festival, along with interdisciplinary themes such as AI technology and global gender perspectives.
Participants were invited to explore tradition and the future, gaining a comprehensive cultural insight.
Renowned local writers, industry leaders, and historians shared their invaluable insights, highlighting Pingtung’s rich cultural heritage.
Decoding the New South: The marketplace and the Breeze Blue experience extended reading into the realms of food, travel, and the arts, creating an immersive learning atmosphere.
One of the festival’s key features was its ability to organically generate discussions, allowing topics to evolve freely within communities. At the same time, the emphasis on on-site experiences ensured that visitors deeply connect with the essence of Pingtung.
Environmental conservation and mountain and ocean preservation also took center stage, encouraging participants to reflect on the importance of sustainability while acquiring new knowledge.
By leveraging KOLs to share local stories, the festival embedded itself across various social strata, inspiring innovation and fostering a profound sense of identity and love for Pingtung.