The Taipei International Book Fair is drawing long lines on the first day of its official opening to the public.

This is the first year that those under the age of 18 will allowed to enter for free.

The annual fair saw some 502,000 visitors last year, and organizers say they believe the attendance this year will set new records.

Organizers estimate there was about 5,000 people lined up outside the center this morning in the hopes of getting their hands on limited edition comic books.

As part of the fair’s New Zealand theme, Kiwi author Eleanor Catton, the 2013 winner of the Man Booker Prize, will be attending the fair to discuss her novel The Luminaries. There are also daily performances by a Maori dance troupe.

The event will run until next Monday January 16 at the Taipei World Trade Center Halls 1 and 3.