Shanghai writers feted at Paris fair
Print Edition
On the day before Chinese New Year’s Eve, the chairman of the Paris Book Fair, Vincent Montagne, arrived in Shanghai with a big hongbao or red gift packet for Shanghai writers.
The present: an invitation to a delegation of 17 writers to attend the 34th Paris Book Fair on March 21-24 in Versailles outside Paris. This year the city of Shanghai will be the guest of honor at the major international fair that invites writers from different cities each year.
More than 1,000 exhibitors are expected at the book fair and trade show that brings together writers, translators and publishers across the industry.
Shanghai Daily has learned from the Shanghai Writers’ Association that invitees include novelists Wang Anyi, who was awarded a French knighthood for arts and letters last year; Bi Feiyu, winner of the 8th Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011 and the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2010; and Zhao Lihong, who plans to take his newly released novel for children “My Childhood River” to the fair.
“It’s a great opportunity for writers from Shanghai to meet the French readers and to promote their books,” Montagne said. The chairman of the fair was elected chair of the French National Publishing Association (SNE) in June 2012. He first visited Shanghai last July, to announce that Shanghai writers would be invited in 2014.
“We welcome not only professionals but also the general public, especially the kids,” said Montague. “We want to nurture a love of reading in children, so that our book fair grows as our readers grow up and bring in their own children.”
Every year, the public flocks to the fair to meet their favorite authors, discover new ones and attend discussions and presentations. Regardless of their taste, there’s something for everyone and a place on the program for all interests, including children’s literature, manga, cartoons, fine book collectors, cook books, art books, travel books and many others.
Q: What do you expect from Shanghai writers?
A: Every month about 400 French young people come to Shanghai to learn Chinese or to work. Most spend six months or longer. But to discover the literature of a different culture takes a longer process. We hope the Shanghai writers’ delegation at the fair will spark the purchase of book rights and translations, and introduce the French public to Chinese texts and stories to which it would never have had access otherwise.
Q: Can you tell us about the Paris Book Fair?
A: Created in 1981 by the SNE and organized since the start by Reed Expositions France, the fair is an annual four-day event in the third week of March. Over the years, the Paris Book Fair has boasted 45 countries in attendance and 1,200 exhibitors, making it one of the largest events on the international literature scene and a leading general public cultural event in Europe.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge in an international book fair?
A: Attracting ever-greater numbers of visitors and keeping pace with — and anticipating — market developments. In 1988, we began to highlight the literature of a different country each year by inviting a delegation of the most eminent yet representative writers. The first “country guest of honor” was Great Britain. China was the 2004 “country guest of honor.” In 2011, the fair created a “city guest of honor,” with Buenos Aires being the first. This year the spotlight will be on Shanghai and its literature.
Q: What was last year’s highlight?
A: We created two new areas: the Culinary Square completely dedicated to cook books, and the Art Square focused on old and modern collectible books designed for book lovers and collectors. Also, the First International Digital Publishing Forum in Europe was held last year. It extended the copyright protection for authors’ digital works to their lifetime plus 70 years. So far, 555 works of literature have been published — both printed and e-books since September.
Q: What can we expect this year?
A: A dedicated area will be created for all types of publishers, including the Amazons, the online retailers. There will be many readings, discussions and translation events where authors and translators can meet the publishers. All industry topics are covered, including negotiating rights in the digital world.
Q: Are there translators and publishers of Chinese fiction in France?
A: Yes, there is one in the south of France. A Chinese comic trilogy, “From Xiao Li to Lao Li — Life of a Chinese Man,” by Li Kansu from southwest China’s Kunming City has recently been translated and released in France.
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