A Polish-Indian Melody

Illustrated book on Frederic Chopin titled Little Chopin, written by Michal Rusinek and published by NBT, India, released at curtain-raiser event that announced Poland as the Guest of Honour country at New Delhi World Book Fair, 2014 (15-23 February). The curtain-raiser took place on 14th November 2013 as part of the celebrations for National Book Week (14– 20 November)

Anna Tryc-Bromley  Priti Paul Piotr Klodkowski  Anna Tryc-Bromley Piotr Klodkowski  Anna Tryc-Bromley  A Sethumadhavan  M A Sikandar

Priti Paul  A Sethumadhavan Piotr Klodkowski  Anna Tryc-Bromley

The Polish Institute in New Delhi and the Polish Book Institute were pleased to announce that Poland has been chosen as the Guest of Honour country at New Delhi World Book Fair, 2014 (15-23 February) organized by National Book Trust, India and considered to be the largest book fair in the Afro-Asian region happening.

The curtain-raiser for this event took place on 14th November 2013 as part of the celebrations for National Book Week (14–20 November) with the release of the children’s illustrated book Little Chopin, written by Michal Rusinek & illustrated by Joanna Rusinek; and translated from the Polish into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. This Indian edition in English is published by National Book Trust, India in an arrangement with Znak Publishers, Poland and The Frederic Chopin Institute, Poland. The event was graciously hosted by Ms. Priti Paul, Director of the Apeejay Surrendra Group, at Oxford Bookstore, N 81, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Poland’s participation at the New Delhi World Book fair is the result of collaboration between the Polish Book Institute based in Krakow, Poland and the National Book Trust, India. The Polish Book Institute and the Polish Institute will collaborate on bringing Poland’s outstanding literary gems for the Fair with the intention of drawing audiences to Polish works and providing a space for Polish authors, critics, illustrators and publishers to catch a glimpse of the book market and audience in India. Important literary figures from Poland who will be participating at the Fair include the likes of Wojciech Jagielski from the famed Polish School of Reportage, Olga Tokarczuk, whose book “Szafa” will be made available to Indian audiences with its translation into Hindi, renowned translator and literary critic Magda Heydel, as well as representatives of the Polish book market. A photographic exhibition on the life and works of acclaimed Polish author Ryszard Kapuscinski will also have pride of place at the Book Fair, along with the Hindi translation from the Polish of his critically and commercially acclaimed book, ‘Shah of Shahs’.

“The focus for Delhi World Book Fair 2014 will be literature for children and Poland will showcase children’s illustrations through an exhibition and bring books for children. We are recognized for excellent graphic design and nowadays Poland’s publishing for children is blossoming. I am sure we can collaborate with Indian publishers in bringing  new, mutual publications, hence we start with a book for children about one of the greatest Polish composers –  Frederic Chopin”, said Anna Tryc-Bromley, director of the Polish Institute in New Delhi, part of the Polish diplomatic mission and responsible for promoting Polish culture in India.

Shri M A Sikandar, Director of NBT and also Fair Director of NDWBF stated, ‘The participation of Poland as Guest of Honour Country in NDWBF 2014 will enrich our book fair and the visitors and book lovers will certainly benefit from this wide-ranging presentation of Polish literature and culture for the first time at the international book fair in India.”

It may be recalled that Shri A Sethumadhavan, Chairman of The National Book Trust, India, announced Poland’s participation at the NDWBF at a function organised during the 2013 edition in February, stating that he was, “happy to declare Poland as the Guest of Honor Country at the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2014.”

On this occasion, His Excellency, Piotr Kłodkowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to India, welcomed the nomination of Poland as the focus country at the Fair and stated that, “the participation in this international book fair is an opportunity to share knowledge and to learn from each other”. Commenting on the literary exchange between Poland and India, Ambassador Kłodkowski added that Indian literature in different languages, such as Tamil, Sanskrit and Bangla that include the works of Tagore, Premchand, Ashok Vajpeyi and the scripts of the Bhagvad Gita and the Rig Veda, have been directly translated into the Polish language.

The Ambassador’s sentiments were echoed by Grzegorz Gauden, Director of the Polish Book Institute, who said, “As the director of the Book Institute, the national institution responsible for the promotion of Polish literature abroad, I want to express my joy at the fact that Poland will be next year’s guest of honor at the international book fair in New Delhi. I am convinced that Poland’s participation in this important event will contribute to the dissemination of our literature in India, and allow us to establish contacts with Indian  publishers so that Indian readers will be able to access, read and appreciate the breadth and richness of Polish literature in their own languages.”

Ms. Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group, at whose venue the book was released, added,  “Oxford Bookstores believe that literature is not just about the printed – or even the written word or for that matter about language itself – but that it illumines and deepens the connections between thought, creativity, governance and society as a whole. To be associated with the Polish Institute and National Book Trust for the curtain-raiser event to announce Poland as Guest of Honour country at the World Book Fair is a rare opportunity to honor the rich literary culture and heritage of Poland. And a collaboration like this dedicates itself to promoting and fostering an understanding of Poland’s culture throughout India in a spirit of mutual cooperation. Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place is delighted to release the English translation of the children’s title Little Chopin through such an important platform as this, on Children’s Day.”

 http://www.instytutpolski.org