Frankfurt, Oct 04: Indian authors took the
centrestage as the world's largest ever book fair opened here
on Wednesday with India as the guest of honour, and aptly a romantic
comedy based on outsourcing was released.
Thousands of people thronged the 58th Frankfurt book
fair which has attracted over 7000 exhibitors from over 100
countries, including 200 from India, as it was opened to
public, a day after being formally inaugurated by India's
Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh because the
theme of the fair is "Today's India".
"Once upon a timezone" by Neelesh Misra was released
by Singh at the main function on the first day of the
exhibition where leading authors from India and around the
world have assembled. The book has been published by
Harpercollins India.
Singh also released "Partners in freedom: Jamia Millia
Islamia" by Prof Mushirul Hassan.
Misra, a journalist with a leading Indian daily, and
Prof Hassan are among 70 Indian authors present at the fair.
80-year-old grand dame of Indian literature, Kiran Desai and
Shashi Tharoor, who quit a bid for UN Secretary General's
post, are also attending the four-day fair.
"This book fair is an attempt to present the India of
today in all its engagements - our desires, our frustrations
and also our dreams," Singh said as he inaugurated the India
pavilion.
Fair director Juergen boos said the presence of
approximately 200 publishers from India had exceeded all
expectations, and it was the largest contingent ever from a
guest of honour country.
With a total of 7,272 exhibitors, the fair is the
biggest in its 58-year history. Organisers said 382,000
titles, including 112,000 new publications, are on display.
A series of other events are being held alongside:
book readings, the opening of the famous Dilli Haat market,
cartoon shows, film screenings, photography and painting
exhibitions, and even a Bollyood dance workshop.
The inauguration of the fair by Singh last evening was
followed by a dazzling cultural presentation on India
featuring percussions, conchs, a rendition of classical
singing by Aruna Sairam, drum dancers from Manipur, ragas on
the violin, and singer Rabbi Shergill.
The India-themed fair is evoking keen interest in
Germany.
"India arouses the curiosity and interest of many
Germans not only because it is one of the most dynamic
economic regions in the world, but also because of our
consolidated and ever closer political cooperation," German
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in his inaugural
speech last night.
"India sometimes appears paradoxical to us, when we
see how many different ways of life, cultures, languages,
religions and beliefs co-exist, and despite all internal
antagonisms, both apparent and real, are bound together by the
constitution and the state," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, October 04, 2006, 00:00