66 book titles are being translated and published in Germany
in 2012, an unprecedented high for New Zealand’s publishing industry.
“New Zealand books have never seen such international
exposure,” said Kevin Chapman, president of the Publishers Association of New
Zealand and managing director of publishing house Hachette New Zealand.
“New Zealand has been attending the Frankfurt Book Fair for
over 20 years. Most years we’ll get 10 New Zealand titles translated and sold
into Germany, but New Zealand’s Guest of Honour status this year has increased
our sales by about 600 per cent and by the end of this year we hope to have
added more titles to the list. This is a stand-out year in New Zealand’s
publishing history.”
Frankfurt Book Fair director Juergen Boos, who is currently
in New Zealand, said the record time in which New Zealand has achieved this
result was impressive.
“Most countries have a two to three year lead-in to the
Guest of Honour role. To achieve such an increase in book sales and
translations in eight months says great things about New Zealand’s energy and
capacity to achieve in any environment,” he said.
The “once in lifetime” opportunity of the Frankfurt Book
Fair Guest of Honour status not only raises the profile of New Zealand’s
literary and cultural life in Germany (and Europe) this year, but has ongoing
benefits for our trade, tourism and creative, education, cultural and
publishing industries.
Last year’s Guest of Honour, Iceland, gained huge exposure,
and a spike in book sales, as well as a “renaissance” of Icelandic literature
and culture throughout Europe.
“New Zealand has already received focussed, extensive press
coverage in Germany as a result of our Guest of Honour status, and there is a
lot more to come,” said Kevin Chapman.
The 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair runs for five days, opening on
the evening of 9 October and ending on 14 October. New Zealand will hand
over the Guest of Honour role to Brazil on 14 October.
Visit www.nzatfrankfurt.govt.nz
for the list of 66 books being translated.
Frankfurt Book Fair background:
The history of the Frankfurt Book Fair dates back to the
15th century, when Johannes Gutenberg first invented movable type – only a few
kilometres down the road from Frankfurt.
Frankfurt remained the central and undisputed European book
fair city through to the 17th century. In the course of political and cultural
upheaval, in the 18th century Leipzig then came to play the part.
In 1949, that early Frankfurt book fair tradition was given
a new lease of life: 205 German exhibitors assembled on 18–23 September in
Frankfurt’s Paulskirche for the first post-war book fair.
More than 60 trade-fair years later, the Frankfurt Book Fair
is the largest of its kind in the world – and the hallmark for global
activities in the field of culture.
The Guest of Honour programme at the Frankfurt Book Fair has
a long and prestigious history.
This year New Zealand will have more publishing,
translation, storytelling and education opportunities at the 2012 fair as we
promote ourselves through the collective New Zealand Publishing stand, across
digital storytelling hot spots and within our dedicated 2,300 square metre New
Zealand pavillion. In the lead-up to Frankfurt we will take centre stage
through a series of high-profile literary and cultural events.
Guest of Honour facts:
At least six times more books sold during New
Zealand’s Guest of Honour year.
Internationally renowned architecture firm
Pattersons and Inside Out productions are working together to create the 2,300
square metre New Zealand pavilion.
The Guest of Honour cultural programme featuring
top New Zealand writers, musicians, dancers and artists will be revealed at a
June press conference in Frankfurt.
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