France at NDWBF: Books, Ideas and Innovation

The India–France Year of Innovation (IFYoI) 2026, declared by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen collaboration between the two countries across key sectors. The book sector is an important part of France’s cultural industries, supported by policies that ensure a diverse and resilient publishing ecosystem. India’s publishing industry is also dynamic, driven by education and initiatives that encourage reading among young people. Yet exchanges between the two countries remain too limited, and this initiative seeks to bring publishing professionals together to bridge that gap and foster meaningful collaboration.

A Very Unique French Pavilion

France’s participation at the New Delhi World Book Fair is anchored by a distinctive French Pavilion, conceived as both a cultural landmark and a welcoming public space. Designed to reflect France’s literary heritage and engaging meaningfully with Indian contexts.

“Inspired by Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of resilience and renewal, the pavilion draws on ideas of continuity and rebirth. These values are expressed through the use of bamboo, a sustainable and locally rooted material with a long association with the history of books and writing. Conceived by The Design Village who is our design partner for the India-France Year of Innovation, it perfectly blends French design influences and Indian vernacular traditions. The pavilion creates an inviting environment for visitors to explore French literature with close to a thousand books displayed in units illuminated in soft blue, white and red hues reflecting our national colors,” Julia shares with pride.

Reimagining The Little Prince for Indian Readers

A highlight of the French presence at the fair is the launch of a new Indian reinterpretation of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Adapted by Anushka Ravishankar and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, this edition reimagines the classic French novella as a fully illustrated children’s album featuring an Indian little prince.
“The project reflects a shared commitment to accessibility and affordability, with the book being released in five Indian languages at a reasonable price by Pratham Books. First published in 1943, The Little Prince has sold over 140 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 600 languages and dialects. By adapting this universal story for young Indian readers, the collaboration seeks to extend its message of friendship, empathy and human connection to new cultural contexts,” she explains.

The Future of Books: A Shared Professional Dialogue

Professional exchange forms a central pillar of the India–France publishing collaboration through The Future of Books, a five-day travelling symposium organised by the French Institute in India, France Livres and Publishing Next. The programme is held in partnership with the New Delhi World Book Fair, the Chennai International Book Fair and Jaipur Book Mark, and is supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Institut français.

“Conceived as a platform to bridge two dynamic yet distinct publishing ecosystems, the symposium brings together publishers, literary agents, booksellers, translators, policy makers and institutional representatives from both countries. Through panel discussions, business-to-business meetings, workshops and professional visits, the programme addresses themes ranging from publishing policies and market structures to editorial innovation, digital developments, sustainability and the growing role of book-to-screen adaptation,” she adds.

French Authors on an India Tour

The literary dimension of France’s presence is further strengthened by an India tour featuring two of the country’s most acclaimed contemporary writers, Marie Darrieussecq and Neige Sinno. Their tour will take them to literary festivals across Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Jaipur, offering multiple points of engagement with Indian readers and publishing communities. They will be in conversation with Amrita Tripathi at Alliance française Delhi on 13 January at 7 pm as a satellite event to the New Delhi World Book Fair.

“Marie Darrieussecq is widely read internationally, with her work translated into several languages including English and Malayalam. Neige Sinno’s book Sad Tiger became a major literary phenomenon in France in 2023 and has recently been released in an Indian English edition, with the hope that it will also attract the interest of Indian language publishers. The themes they address are essential to the global conversation”, she remarks.

A Special Issue of All About Book Publishing

To complement this rich programme, a special issue of All About Book Publishing will be released. The issue explores the cultural frameworks that have shaped the French book landscape, the creative forces driving it today, and the evolving nature of collaboration with Indian publishing professionals.

“By bringing together innovative voices and forward-looking perspectives, the special issue situates publishing within the broader context of cultural and creative industries. It also reinforces the role of the magazine as a platform that not only documents industry change but actively contributes to cross-cultural dialogue”, she adds.

Rendez-vous @NDWBF 2026

France’s participation at the New Delhi World Book Fair, under the umbrella of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 reflects a long-term vision for meaningful cultural cooperation and positions books as vital connectors between societies. Books carry ideas and shape conversations. By deepening mutual understanding and working more closely together, France and India are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking future for publishing.

Julia Trouilloud is Cultural Attaché for books and ideas at the French Institute in India, New Delhi. Her role is to foster connections between the French and Indian publishing industries across the entire book chain and to create spaces for dialogue between France and India. Before joining this position, she worked with the French Institute in Paris and Seoul and lived in India between 2013-2017.