Bonding with China in Delhi, via books and culture

India-China bonding via books and culture. This is the way to go, and the New Delhi World Book Fair provides just the platform to rediscover this ancient civilization morphing into a major global power through Chinese literature.

Six years after Indian literature was showcased at the Beijing International Book Fair, China is the guest of honour at the 2016 edition of New Delhi World Book Fair that began in the Indian capital on January 9.

The enthusiasm at the China Pavilion Exhibition Area was palpable, with hordes of Sinophiles and book-lovers purveying the rich cornucopia of books on display. China’s Foreign Language Press organized a symposium on its new publication entitled “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.” The symposium was attended by, among others, China’s ambassador to India Yue Yucheng, Sun Shoushan, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and Lu Cairong, Vice President of China International Publishing Group.

More than 80 Chinese publishing houses and organisations, 9 authors and over 255 delegates are representing China at the book fair.

“We were invited by the NDBF to attend as a guest of honour and we hope the event will further deepen the friendship between the two countries which are both ancient civilisations,” Lin Liying, Director, Beijing International Book Fair said.

Children’s fiction writer Cao Wenxuan, Liu Zhenyun, Mai Jia Wang Xufeng, an authority on Chinese tea, poets Xi Chuan Lan Lan are among star participants at nine-day fair. Many Indian books, which have a Chinese edition, will also be launched at the fair. Around thirty countries are participating in the book fair. These include, among others, Pakistan, France, USA, Egypt, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

Cultural Connect

‘Cultural heritage of India’ is the theme of the fair for 2016. The books displayed would be in major Indian languages. The books that will be will be put on display range from language to philosophy and literature from ancient to contemporary times.

The China pavilion comprises display of traditional Chinese garden style, paper making, publishing and printing in ancient China. It comprises a daily live show of wood block printing and a china tea cultural show. The two countries will promote their cultural exchanges in an India-China cultural contacts photo exhibition which comprises around 150 photos. The China pavilion also hosts over 300 original Chinese illustrations for the special exhibition for children.

“More than 10,000 copies of over 5000 titles in Chinese, English and Hindi languages will be showcased at the pavilion,” Lin Liying, Director, Beijing International Book Fair said.

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