Highlights at the Chinese pavilion of the New Delhi book fair

(Chinaculture.org) Updated: 2016-01-12 13:42

Seeking to build a bridge of knowledge between the two ancient civilizations, India has selected China as the Guest of Honor at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2016, which opened to book lovers on Jan 9 at the PragatiMaidan in the Indian capital.

Launched in 1972, the fair has developed into a major calendar event in the publishing world. It attracted around 1 million visitors last year, making it "Asia's largest book fair", and the expectations of this year are higher. Some 30 countries from around the world are taking part in the event, besides international agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

As the Guest of Honor this year, China has set up a beautifully designed pavilion spread over 1,200 square meters at hall number 7. More than 5,000 Chinese books and those translated from the Chinese language into English and Hindi languages are displayed on the shelves. Themes include politics, economics, society, and culture.

More than 250 Chinese delegates including publishers and authors are taking part in panel discussions and exchanges on the sidelines of the book fair. Several important Chinese authors, including acclaimed children's fiction writer Cao Wenxuan, best seller Mai Jai, as well as lyrical poet LanLan among others, will be present during the fair to share their writing experiences and insights.

(The 24th New Delhi World Book Fair opens at the PragatiMaidan in New Delhi,

India on January 9, 2016. China is the guest of honor this year. [Photo /Xinhua])

Sun Shoushan, Vice-Minister of the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, says the broader goal is to expand ties with India through communication.

"We believe as the guest of honor, we can promote the cultural and publishing exchanges between the two countries. This will help create more translations and publications of books, as well as provide richer mental nourishment and cultural understanding for readers in both countries."

Some of the highlights at this year's event include books published and printed in ancient China, as well as a daily show of Chinese tea culture and a photo exhibition of China-India cultural connections.

Members of the visiting Chinese delegation will be giving a demonstration of on-the-spot of printing techniques, which date back to 868 A.D. of the Tang Dynasty. By watching how the images of Buddha are printed by using red ink, xuan paper and sandal woodblocks, Indian visitors can get to know ancient printing techniques and publishing culture. Some of the inquisitive visitors even tried their hands at making their own prints.