China to be guest of honour country at NDWBF 2016

The book lovers have one more reason to head to the New Delhi World Book Fair 2016 as one Pavillion of Pragati Maidan is dedicated to showcase books on literature, culture and art from China.

Many books from China will make its way to India in the book fair which begins on January 9 in the national Capital. 

The Book fair organised by National Book Trust in association with India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) will be inaugurated by Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Human Resource Development. 

Baldeo Bhai Sharma said, “China will be the Guest of Country at the Fair. Both China and India have strong cultural relations since ancient times and it is hoped that the New Delhi World Book Fair will help both the countries exchange cultural heritage through books.” China, the guest country of the book fair will be organising nearly 60 literary and publishing discussions and will be launching China editions of many Indian books. 

Along with four exhibitions, a photo exhibition titled China-India Cultural Contacts will be held. The Chinese delegation of more than 250 publishers, writers and scholars will be visiting the national Capital to present ‘Renaissance of Civilizations…Understanding through Exchanges’. 

National Book Trust of India has tied up with Institutions like IGNCA, National Mission for Manuscripts, National Archives and Centre  for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) for the theme presentation (The theme for this year is Cultural Heritage of India). 

Dr Rita Chowdhury, Director, NBT welcomed China as a Guest of Honour country at the New Delhi World Book Fair. She said that there will be more than 500 literary programmes for the booklovers, authors and publishers. 

Well-known authors like Namwar Singh, ChitraMudgal, Chandrakanta will interact with the booklovers at the Fair. She also informed that there will be a special Selfie Corner for the children and young.

Lin Liying, representative from China said, “In 2010 India was the Country of Honour at Beijing International Book Fair and six years later we are here as Guest of Honour country. We hope that through communication we can further deepen our relationship.”

She added that there will be over 7000 ebooks from China at the Digital Publication area. The other interesting features at the China Pavilion are cultural exhibitions, photo exhibitions and China tea cultural show, original illustrators’ paintings etc.

Meenakshi Singh, Officer on Special Duty, ITPO said that there will be a good number of shuttles to ferry visitors across the Fair ground. There will also be special arrangements for senior citizens as well.

At the theme pavilion there will be a display of books from ancient times till present (from BhojPatra to ebooks). 

Sharma added that the special feature of the Theme Pavilion would be the dramatic performances based on Indian classical texts in Sanskrit and other languages like Jaidev’s ‘GeetGovinda’, Bhavabhuti’s play ‘MalatiMadhava’, Sindhi Classic ‘Shah Jo Risalo’, among others.