International Book Fair, Frankfurt 2011-Some impressions
October 15, 2011
The International Book Fair of Frankfurt began on the 12th of October for business people and opened its gates to the public during the week-end of 15th and 16th of October when most people can visit it. Thousands are coming to see the new publications, the new technological achievements –ebooks, ereaders, audio books etc-, to take part in one of the events and discussions, to meet authors, to buy books, to get free goods and enjoy the excellent organisation. The entrance ticket is not cheap and you have to walk some kilometres if you want to visit most of the venues. The most successful one is undoubtedly the area dedicated to literature for adults and children, most people go there. It is a well known fact that Germans are avid readers. Young people in groups, pupils, students, as well as older people, families, middle aged women with their friends, here you can find everyone. Even two buddhist monks.
In the area of new technologies, in direct contact with the CERN headquarters, the visitor can see in a big screen what is going on there. Lectures and answering of questions regarding this great experiment are provided to the audience by scientists on a stage. You can play with simulators in order to understand things better.
The guest of honour for this year is Iceland, which apart from its usual stand, has also at its disposal a very large dark hall, full of big screens showing videos of authors from this country as well as of landscapes with vulcanoes, hot water springs, and the generally strange natural environment. You feel as if you are there.
All around the Fair there are young people dressed in clothes from children’s books like Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter etc. They most probably are there to read fairy tales to small children in these costumes or act in plays.
Among the foreigners one presence is more obvious. Of the Chinese of course! There are also many Koreans, Japanese, people from India, all of them oriented mainly towards technological editions and tablet PC’s.
Despite the financial crisis, the Greek stand is decent with at least 5 of the best known publishers present. What amazes me is that so many non greek publishers have chosen greek names for their publishing houses. Kynos, with books about dogs, Nomos, a publishing house for legal books, Diogenes, a well known publishing house of literary books. It is some consolation that at least our greek spirit is everywhere. From our writers, Petros Markaris and his thrillers are being translated into german. Germans love “krimis” as they call mystery books..
So many stands have big photos of Steve Jobs and books about him. Will he be forgotten next year? Sic transit gloria mundi.
Once inside the premises of the Fair, the visitor can have lunch or drink a cup of coffe in a wide selection of spots. There, he or she can enjoy reading as in every corner there is somebody offering a free newspaper or a magazine.
As I’m going around, I’m wondering where would I arrive if I were to put all these books one next to the other? Would I reach Beijing or even farther? I’m also wondering how many lives would I need to read all these books?
And on that note, I’m approaching the exit. I feel happy as this had been like a dream for me. So many impressions, so many people, so many books…And Frankfurt looks beautiful in the dark, with all its lights on, with the few remaining protesters outside the European Central Bank and the many tourists carrying their heavy bags full of books.