Indians take centre stage at Frankfurt book fair

A publisher's associate fills books into shelves day before the opening of the world¿s biggest book fair in the German town of Frankfurt Main yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

The 58th Frankfurt Book Fair brings together publishers from more than 100 countries for wheeling and dealing, and has spotlighted India this year as its guest country with a packed program of readings and debates.

More than 70 authors from the world's largest democracy have arrived in the German financial capital for a broad cultural showcase that will also feature dance, drama, films and even live yoga demonstrations.

Mahasweta Devi, an 80-year-old grande dame of Indian literature, said the fair would have to struggle to capture the endless contradictions and breathtaking pace of change in her country.

"India has learned to survive, to adapt, to keep the old with the modern, to walk hand in hand with the new millennium whistling a tune from the dawn of time," she told a gala opening ceremony late Tuesday.

"Culture is what will take us into the future yet keep us in close contact with our roots, our history, our tradition, our heritage."

Amitav Ghosh, Amit Chaudhuri and Kiran Desai -- shortlisted this year for the Man Booker prize -- are among the Indian writers who will present their work at the event with more than 7,000 exhibitors and some 280,000 visitors expected before the fair closes Sunday.

Zadie Smith, Donna Leon, Ken Follett and German Nobel laureate Guenter Grass, fresh from a scandal over his late revelation that he served in the Nazis' feared Waffen SS force during World War II, are among other writers who will be walking the vast halls in Frankfurt.