At the Frankfurt Book Fair, which runs from October 16 to 20, visitors have been captivated by an immersive journey through Chinese culture. The event features a Chinese exhibition area spanning 580 square meters, showcasing over 3,500 types of books, with numerous Chinese publishing organizations hosting activities such as foreign language book launches, signing ceremonies, and cultural experiences.
One standout exhibit is the presentation of “Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Paintings” (in a bilingual Chinese-French edition), which has drawn significant attention at the China International Communication Group’s booth. This book features over 200 valuable pieces from the Tianjin Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Paintings Museum, covering themes of historical legends, traditional operas, and daily life. Audience members have enthusiastically participated in a hands-on woodblock printing experience, reflecting their keen interest in this cultural art form.
In an interview with the China News Service, Xie Gang, General Manager of the China International Book Trading Corporation, shared insights on the challenges posed by the rapid development of new media on traditional publishing. He emphasized that in Europe and the United States, traditional book reading remains a prevalent lifestyle, making it crucial to continue promoting traditional publishing.
Zhang Chaoyang, Chairman of Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing and Media Group, expressed the company’s commitment to sharing compelling Chinese stories through their publications. This year, they brought an array of high-quality works to the fair.
Among the notable titles is the children’s picture book “Bubu and Diandian,” which emphasizes familial love in Chinese households. The fair hosted a launch for the Arabic edition of this book, with German elementary students performing excerpts live. Additionally, “The Flavors of Chinese Plants” featured an immersive tasting experience, allowing attendees to engage with Chinese tea culture, while a calligraphy tutorial book highlighted various artistic styles of Chinese calligraphy through live demonstrations.
The graphic novel adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem” combines traditional Chinese painting with contemporary themes, rejuvenating the narrative with elements of “Guochao” (Chinese Chic) and “Guofeng” (national style). This adaptation has already attracted interest from publishers in several countries.
Zhongnan Publishing Group also showcased exquisite bilingual picture books like “Chinese Intangible Heritage” and “Artistic Picture Books of the Maritime Silk Road,” aimed especially at young readers to convey the unique allure of Chinese culture. Kang Qinxin, head of the International Publishing Division at Hunan Children’s Publishing House, noted that their presentation included over 400 quality titles, with a third in foreign languages. She believes using children’s books to illustrate ancient intangible cultural heritage is a creative approach. The publisher has also developed corresponding picture book courses and hands-on activity kits to enhance readers’ understanding of Chinese culture through interactive experiences.
The Frankfurt Confucius Institute, along with the Leibniz Confucius Institute in Hanover, organized the launch of a German translation of “Compendium of Materia Medica,” aimed at familiarizing more foreign audiences with Chinese medicinal culture.
Pang Pingping, Sales Director at the German Book Information Center, remarked on the significance of Chinese exhibitors at the Frankfurt Book Fair, describing it as a vital platform for the world to engage with Chinese culture.
Established in 1949, the Frankfurt Book Fair is one of the largest publishing trade fairs globally, with its 76th edition introducing an “Asian Stage” where various Chinese publishing organizations prominently showcased their works.