Exhibitions
“What tomorrow’s world will look like depends to a large extent on the imagination of those who are just now learning to read.” This quote from the famous children’s book author Astrid Lindgren is more relevant than ever in today’s digital age – and it also raises questions. How will tomorrow’s readers interact with content? Which trends will evolve into universal standards? Do new technologies limit the imagination or just the opposite? The Frankfurt Book Fair (October 10 – 14, 2012) gives these and other questions room for debate, with a special focus this year on children’s and YA media and education. 
In order to keep up with the changing reading and learning habits of future generations, we need to constantly create new formats and develop and expand popular topics and trends. Frankfurt Book Fair's children’s and YA book area brings innovative developments into focus. It hones in on and highlights the innovations the publishing industry has to look forward to in that it introduces the media to tomorrow’s global leaders, said Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair. In addition to the established Forum Children's and Young Adult Media (Hall 3.0 K371), this new area is also home to the Hot Spot Kids & eReading (Hall 3.0 J316), where the focus will be on digital and social reading and writing. Hot Spot exhibitors include literature portals, social reading providers and self-publishing platforms. Those who prefer to browse printed books can do so in the IKEA Kids Café (Hall 3.0 K381), featuring a wide range of contemporary children’s and YA literature that will invite you to curl up with a book.
Closely tied to children’s and YA media is the subject of education, which has had its own dedicated area at the Frankfurt Book Fair since 2006 – Hall 4.2, the home of education, science and specialist information. In the “Classroom of the Future” – which covers over 300 square metres – visitors can see for themselves how tomorrow’s students will learn, i.e. in 3D using multimedia glasses, with interactive or digitised learning materials, powerwalls and whiteboards. The neighbouring Forum Education (Hall 4.2 B1450) will also host discussions and presentations with education experts, educators and developers every day of the fair.
Frankfurt Book Fair: A stage for world literature
The Frankfurt Book Fair offers a real plethora of stages and events for literature connoisseurs and enthusiasts. A total of more than 3,000 events are scheduled, including readings and discussions in prominent locations, like the ARD Forum with its own stage (TV), or the ARD Studio (radio), the “Blaues Sofa” (passage between Halls 5.1 and 6.1) – a cooperation between Club Bertelsmann, ZDF and Deutschlandradio Kultur – or the reading tent on the agora. In the city of Frankfurt itself, the “Open Books” and “Literatur im Römer” festivals both serve as gathering points for literature enthusiasts. International authors and film and TV stars have already announced their attendance at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2012, including Donna Leon, Herta Müller, Friedrich Ani, Hakan Nesser, Simon Beckett, Martin Suter, Wolf Haas, Karen Duve, Dieter Moor, Elke Heidenreich and Arnold Schwarzenegger. More than 60 authors from this year’s guest of honour New Zealand – including household names like Anthony McCarten, Paul Cleave, Alan Duff and Paddy Richardson – will also add to the international literary programme.
A shower of awards and colourful images in the Comics Centre
The Guest of Honour will also be well represented in the Book Fair’s Comics Centre (Hall 3.0 K833), where comic artists and experts from the international comic scene will gather once again this year. New Zealand comic artist Colin Wilson, who is particularly beloved by fans for his “Blueberry” and “Star Wars” comics, invites guests to attend the New Zealand breakfast, while Achdé, the new illustrator of “Lucky Luke”, will demonstrate how he creates all the Lucky Lukes, Daltons, Jolly Jumpers and Rantanplans for this cult series on his graphic tablet. And prestigious awards will also be presented in the Comics Centre: for example, the Sondermann audience award or this year’s German Cartoon Prize, which will be awarded to the cartoons that best reflect the motto “You are not alone”.
Intellectual and culinary trips of a lifetime: Off to Hall 3.1
“Life is a book – and those who don’t travel have only read one page.” Quotes like this one reveal just how much literature is inspired by travel. The Frankfurt Book Fair is now dedicating an entire area to Tourism & Travel: the new Travel Gallery in Hall 3.1 (L691). On over 180 square metres, you’ll encounter city guide publishers alongside poetry-writing globetrotters and ambassadors from dream destinations. Readings, panels and performances will be held on a dedicated event stage. If, for example, you’ve always wanted to know how a luxury cruise ship is built, check out the talk “From design to maiden voyage: How a luxury cruise ship comes to be.”
For those who’d like to continue on a culinary journey, visit the Gourmet Gallery (Hall 3.1 L1703). In the area’s show kitchen, international chefs will demonstrate the array of exotic and delicious recipes the national cuisines of New Zealand, Hungary, Turkey and Asia have to offer. And in the large exhibition area, visitors can also discover the latest titles focused on cooking, food and epicurism, and get decoration ideas from the beautifully designed theme tables.
Welcome to the “State of the Arts” in Hall 4.1
Hall 4.1 has always been the home of the arts at the Frankfurt Book Fair – that’s why, starting this year, the saying goes: Welcome to the “State of the Arts” in Hall 4.1. Visitors will find exhibitors here from the categories of art and literature, design and photography, along with exhibitions and beautiful books they can marvel at, touch and even hear. On each day of the fair, the Paschen Literatursalon (D150) will feature readings and literary discussions in a relaxed atmosphere, for example with an author from the German Book Prize 2012 longlist. A complete retrospective of Book Prize authors in the Literatursalon will invite visitors to browse and explore. “State of the Arts” will also feature the Leseinsel, a reading zone for independent publishers – a place for debates, fine poetry and funny rhymes, where participating publishers will present their most important new releases – the Collective Stand Audiobooks, exhibitions on the German Photo Book Award 2012 and the Best German Book Design Award 2012, along with the 3sat Forum with its comprehensive programme and many literary discussions.
Events from Frankfurt Academy & GBO New Delhi
This year, the German Book Office New Delhi is organising, supporting and collaborating on an array of interesting and engaging events at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2012. There will be two guided tours – one in the Children’s Book (October 10) and the other in Education (October 11) segment. With the expanding publishing industry in India, these guided tours will be a targeted way for interested companies to set ground for exploring further possibilities. Continuing in the same vein, there’s STM Matchmaking on October 12 to enable Indian publishers meet their international counterparts for an organized interaction. Besides, Indian Business Lunch will be organized in association with FICCI on October 12. In this session, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will bring together experts from the Indian publishing industry to talk about the publishing ecosystem and markets in India- an area which still engenders curiosity. And then for the Printers’ community, first time there would be a Printers Collective stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair. As we talk of publishing and the emerging patterns, one can’t but simultaneously take note of the trends as they are in the world of printing. Therefore, a panel discussion – ‘The Indian Noon - Discover India: Ability, Accessibility, Adaptability’ – is going to take place on October 11. Also, there is a 'Matchmaking for Printers' being organized on October 12. These two events are being organized by Khublei and GBO/FBM are very happy to be in support.
Focus on Africa: The Weltempfang
The Weltempfang, the Centre for Politics, Literature and Translation, (Hall 5.0 D949) is home to great literature from countries that might otherwise not be in the spotlight: authors and industry experts from sub-Saharan Africa. The famous performance poet Chirikure from Zimbabwe will set the tone for the week’s overarching theme. Other highlights will tie into the sub-Saharan Africa theme, including Spanish-language literature in Africa and the new translation of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – the “father” of the modern African novel. All in all, Frankfurt Book Fair is a must visit fair for all connected to the industry.
While addressing and complimenting all winners at the august gathering present at the award ceremony, the chief guest Jawhar Sircar, chief executive officer of Prasar Bharati opined that e-version and POD will rule publishing. He also said that confusion over concerned ministry to handle, print-publish, manufacturing, etc need to be addressed for co-ordination on larger perspective. Besides, he said that FIP umbrella need to stretch and lot of publicity is required for the success of book fairs. Rita Menon, chairman & managing director, ITPO was the guest of honour at the function. More Articles...
In This Issue
Coming Events
Buenos Aires International Book Fair 2013
April 23 - May 13, 2013
Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.el-libro.org.ar
Beijing International Book Fair 2013
Aug 28-Sept 01, 2013
Beijing, China.
www.bibf.net
Frankfurt Book Fair 2013
October 09-13, 2013,
Frankfurt, Germany.
www.buchmesse.de
Sharjah International Book Fair 2013
November 06-16, 2013
Sharjah, U.A.E.
www.sharjahbookfair.com
New Delhi World Book Fair 2014
February 15-23, 2014
Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
www.newdelhiworldbookfair.com
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