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 Success for the Nordic theme at Göteborg Book
Fair
This
year’s Book Fair has broken records. Visitors have been able to take
part in 3,446 different events, with 2,420 participants. The Nordic
theme has made its mark on the 28th consecutive Göteborg Book Fair.
More than 100,000 visitors visited the Göteborg Fair |
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– The Nordic theme has permeated the entire fair
and we are both delighted with and proud of the great interest
inspired by it. Many important deals have been agreed in the
International Rights Centre and the seminars featuring Nordic
writers have been well attended. The Swedish journalists Martin
Schibbye and Johan Persson, who recently were released from
Ethiopian prison, drew the largest audience at the International
Square, commented Maria Källsson, Book Fair Director.
Another highlight was that the Swedish Nobel Prize Laureate
Tomas Tranströmer honoured the Book Fair with his attendance.
– An especially powerful memory is all of the warmth and love
surrounding Tomas and Monica Tranströmer, Head of Programme
Gunilla Sandin said.
Voices from Ireland have also drawn a great deal of attention,
especially as no fewer than eight authors from the Emerald Isle
visited the Book Fair.
Nordic theme makes a major impact
Over sixty writers from the Nordic countries and hundreds of
writers from Sweden attended the Book Fair, and many of the
seminars discussed Scandinavia and Nordic literature.
The cooperating partners, Nordic Council of Ministers and the
Nordic Council, have not only featured Nordic literature in
their exhibition stand and in seminars. In addition, fair
visitors of all ages have enjoyed playing new Scandinavian
computer games with Findus, Pettson and Astrid Lindgren’s many
fictional characters. They have also been able to meet a variety
of people from government ministers to young designers and to
book a time with the director of the Nordic Culture Fund, Karen
Bue. Many people were eager to pitch their ideas to her.
– There is actually no other word than successful to describe
the Nordic exhibition stand at the Book Fair in Göteborg. From
morning to evening it has been full – chock-full – of people who
have talked, exchanged experiences, debated or listened to
everything which has been discussed on the Nordic Stand’s stage.
One way to measure the success is to look at how crowded the
stand always is, and another is the 100 kilos of free apples
handed out on the stand, which have all gone before 12 noon
every day, commented Bodil Tingsby, Head of Communications for
the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council, and
project leader for the Nordic exhibition stand.
– The driving force amongst us in Scandinavia to spend time with
each other, talk with each other and get to know each other is
strong. We proved this yet again at Göteborg Book Fair.
Romania in focus 2013
Next year the Book Fair will be focussing on Romania and
Romanian literature. The theme will be developed and implemented
in cooperation with the Romanian Cultural Institute in
Stockholm, as well as publishers and other organisations.
– We look at this as recognition both of Romania as an exciting
literary country, and of the Romanian Cultural Institute as a
strong and trustworthy partner. We are conscious of the
responsibility we carry, and we have already begun preparations
for next year’s formidable challenge, commented Dan Shafran,
Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Stockholm.
– The Romanian presence at next year’s Book Fair will not only
accentuate the importance of the Romanian cultural tradition and
its place within Europe, but also show how cultural meetings set
up by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Scandinavia can
encourage us to focus more broadly on the common cultural
heritage we share in Europe.
Göteborg Book Fair 2013 takes place from 26th-29th September at
the Swedish Exhibition Center in Göteborg.
www.goteborg-bookfair.com
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