When traditional faith meets modern reading, thriving temple courtyards transform into literary havens, what sparks will fly? For the 2025 Taiwan Reading Festival, the National Library of Public Information launches the creative theme "Reading Truly Miraculous Temple" with a vibrant series, bringing libraries to temple gates for a cultural feast where "knowledge also offers blessings."
Reading slows down thought and steadies the soul. In Taiwan, two spaces hold people's deepest hopes and strength: one, incense-filled temples offering solace through devout faith; the other, treasure-filled libraries guiding through boundless knowledge. "Some seek peace in temples, others answer in libraries," notes Tsai Chia Hsuan, officer at the National Library of Public Information (NLPI), encapsulating the 2025 Taiwan Reading Festival's core idea.
This bold concept emerged from an internal design thinking workshop in March 2025. NLPI staff brainstormed wildly, landing on a quirky pitch: enlist "8+9" (temple culture symbols) as reading ambassadors for maximum buzz.
High-contrast, provocative content thrives on social media, says Tsai Chia Hsuan with a laugh. While stereotypes of "8+9" are softening, few link temple vibes to reading scenes—offering libraries a fun entry to shatter frames and draw crowds.
Breaking Frames - Libraries Reach the Crowd
With this vision, the NLPI explored Taiwan's folk elements—household generals, procession circuits, Mazu faith—to forge surprising links with reading promotion. "Older generations sought leisure at temple gates through storytelling and glove puppetry, absorbing loyalty, filial piety, and benevolence. Why not revive temple storytelling to gather crowds and bring reading services to communities?" Tsai Chia Hsuan put this into action.
"Reading Truly Miraculous Temple" goes beyond outreach, recreating warm, human-centered life scenes. Temples serve as Taiwan's top community hubs, so NLPI selected three distinctive ones: Taichung's Lecheng Temple (East District), Yuanbao Temple (North District), and Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, hosting "Temple Gate Talks" in October and November 2025. The main event unfolds December 6, 2025, at NLPI's outdoor plaza, weaving all highlights into one grand showcase of faith, folklore, and literature.
Temple Gate Talks - Tradition Meets Innovation
Bustling temple gates transformed that day—not mere reading promo, but full library immersion: on-site memberships, new book loans, digital resource demos, senior reading pushes, book swaps, and edtech showcases. Even outdoors, crowds tapped into libraries' rich services and innovative vibe.
Lecheng Palace featured Taichung Puppet Theater's director Wang Yingjie on Temple Courtyard Storyhouse: Heroes from Glove Puppetry, reenacting Nezha from Investiture of the Gods. Yuanbao Palace hosted Nine Heavens Folk Arts' deputy Maria on Divine Generals & Drums: Folk Faith Reading Sparks. Dajia Jenn Lann Temple brought NTNU's Prof. Lin Mao Xian for Temple Literature Class: Mazu Faith & Folk Tales, unpacking belief and culture's layers. Each angle offered fresh insights, deepening public grasp of heritage.
Book-Scented Procession - Creative Reinterpretation of Traditions
Beyond expert talks, the NLPI cleverly adapted temple-goers' "stamp-collecting" during God processions into booth-challenge stations. "Festival veterans know grab a flag, stamp at each temple, tie talismans." The 2025 Taiwan Reading Festival mirrored this—visitors experienced reading services at stalls, stamped "Literary Procession" points, and redeemed custom kau cim erasers, protective amulets, or reading pancakes.
The hit "Silk-Screen Talisman Bookmark DIY" drew lots for poetic book matches, then crafted personal knowledge charms: wisdom, courage, healing, creativity symbols—witty designs sparking smiles post-read. "All activities aim to refocus on reading itself," says Tsai Chia Hsuan.
A fun twist: Taichung City Library joined with a red-wrapped mobile book van matching the festive visuals, serving crowds on-site and touring greater Taichung as a daily rolling reading landmark.
Knowledge as Blessing - Reading as Spiritual Strength
The slogan "Knowledge also offers blessings" captures the NLPI's deep vision for reading promotion.
In the fast AI age, reading grounds and slows the pace. "Devout worshipers focus intently on divine protection; readers, immersed in books, gain mental calm and thought sparks," says Tsai Chia Hsuan—explaining faith as the festival's entry point, revealing reading's soothing grace.
With social-emotional learning rising, screen overload erodes feeling skills and self-care. "Finishing a book quietly rebuilds emotional value," Tsai Chia Hsuan notes, positioning reading as vital heart-tuning amid digital whirls.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration - Reinventing Reading Concepts
The Reading Festival drew strong enthusiasm for "Temple Gate Talks," with vibrant feedback from attendees. The December 6 main event at NLPI's outdoor plaza relocated temple activities, amplified by performances from Nine Heavens Folk Arts, Dong Jin Inline Skaters, and Smile Recitation Group, climaxing the "Reading Culture Temple Fair."
NLPI showcased 2025's second-generation "AI Book Finder," more flexible than its predecessor—no borrowing history needed; just input queries for personalized recommendations, earning wide reader acclaim.
The librariy will integrate with night markets and wet markets next, alongside online reading and social media engagement. "Reading Truly Miraculous Temple" fuses faith and literacy, sparking joy in discovering timeless cultural and generational dialogue.