Frankfurt opens a new chapter

FRANKFURT: When the world's largest trade fair for books opens its doors today, the spotlight will be on the Middle Kingdom.

China is the theme of the 61st edition of the five-day Frankfurt Book Fair 2009. As the guest of honor, Beijing will kick-off a series of events with exhibits related to the publishing industry, displaying items ranging from ancient bone inscriptions to the technologically advanced electronic book readers.

A man prepares a barrier tape in front of a book shelf at Frankfurt Book Fair yesterday. The world's largest book fair with its focal theme on China's literature will run till October 18. [Agencies]

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Opera House. Xi, who is on the second leg of his five-country European tour, will also attend the guest of honor ceremony.

Liu Binjie, director of General Administration of Press and Publication, termed the event "the largest external cultural event since the Beijing Olympic Games". He said apart from focusing on China's publishing industry, Beijing's 612 events will also showcase Chinese culture and art.

For instance, the 2,500-sq m China Forum, which is designed by artist Li Jiwei, incorporates the elements of paper, lettering characters and books to create a strong Chinese ambience. Its exhibits include rare items as hemp paper (made more than 2,000 years ago) and the Chinese translation of Huxley's Evolution & Ethics printed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).