Salon du Livre de Paris: the best way to promote the city
"There is hardly a better way I can imagine to build our image as a country than by presenting Poland's literary legacy and our Nobel Prize laureates," says Grzegorz Gauden, Head of the Polish Book Institute, one of the Polish presentation organisers, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, ECC 2016 Office and Kraków Festival Office. Grzegorz Gauden hastens to add that the Salon du Livre de Paris attracts influential and discerning readers, which makes it a perfect spot for promoting Poland abroad. "We're here to offer translation opportunities and showcase Polish authors," explains the Head of the Polish Book Institute.
Something for French readers
French readers will be offered to buy French translations of "Microcosm" by Norman Davies or books by Olga Tokarczuk or Ludwik Flaszen. "We have designed our meetings to connect celebrated Polish authors with their French counterparts, for example, Olga Tokarczuk with Erik-Emmanuel Schmitt," points out Irek Grin, ECC 2016 Literary Curator. He also adds that French intellectuals were more than happy to accept invitations to discussion on Polish literature at the Salon du Livre de Paris. French readers will also be able to attend meetings with Roman Polański and Grzegorz Rosiński.
The cover of a book which Wroclaw and Kraków will be presenting at the fair in several language versions
Wroclaw and Kraków to showcase Poland
The fair, to be held from 19–23. March, is a great opportunity to showcase two Polish cities, Wroclaw and Kraków, in France. The idea that the city may represent the state has caught on both in Paris and elsewhere in the world. "This formula attracts interest in people to visit particular cities and explore their particular history," points out Grzegorz Gauden. Wroclaw and Kraków prepared a shared publication. "The Tale of Two Cities" will be available at the fair in French and in English. Wroclaw publishing house Atut has also published a volume called "Street Art & Poetry of Wroclaw", a guide on Wroclaw murals (no longer existing as well) accompanied by poems by Wroclaw authors.
The Polish stand, the meeting section
President Hollande at the Polish stand
The Polish stand will be divided into two sections: a meeting area and a bookshop. "You can buy books by Polish authors both in French and in their native Polish," says Irek Grin. It is now known that Małgorzata Omilanowska, Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage, is going to attend the event, but there will also be a special guest. "According to our sources, President François Hollande is going to visit the fair on Saturday 21. March, and he will put in an appearance at the our stand as well," reveals Grzegorz Gauden, Head of the Polish Book Institute.
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