Frankfurt/New Zealand, or: Book Fair Ahoy!
Oct. 9th, 2012 09:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakThis year's guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the opening ceremony of which took place just a few hours ago, is New Zealand, and I must say, New Zealanders, your guys did you proud. The New Zealand pavillon instead of being a stately affair did something breathtaking.
But in order, here were the speeches.
Head of booktrade company, Gottfried Honnefelder: "Yes, bookstores everywhere are closing or sizing down, and the trends from the US are worrying (when are they not?), because usually we follow suit within ten years or so. But there is opportunity, too! Now that the big bookstore chains are buckling down because of digital pirats and bloody Amazon, the hour of the small book shop returns. Cheer up, comrades! Also, politicians, remember to hold firm to the copyright. The French are doing more than you! Follow French example and make sure Amazon can no longer hide between Luxembourg tax exemptions."
Jürgen Boos, still mostly famous for chickening out before the Chinese a few years ago: "Other than New Zealand, our theme this year is children's literature. This sells! Also, it's the future. And we do have over 7300 exhibitors this year, so despite the fact all bookstores have a 4% minus, don't be so glum.
New Mayor of Frankfurt, Mr. Feldmann: "To this end, the city of Frankfurt donates 500 tickets for the book fair to children from our city this year. This is supposed to make you forget you're all missing my predecessor, Petra Roth."
Bill Manhire, New Zealand writer: "I love that so many German words start with Z - Zeitgeist, Zukunft, Zauber. Clearly, we're soulmates. We're the masters of self deprecation in New Zealand, but seeing as you invited us as your guest of honour, let's celebrate us!"
Joy Cowley, New Zealand writer: "The Sorrows of Young Werther were my favourite novel when I was 20."
(Audience, reading the book only because they have to in school, and ghost of Goethe, who in his later life felt like Doyle did when killing Holmes about good old Werther: WHAT?)
JC: We New Zealanders are in the top ten in every department, science, literature, sports, despite being only four million. Because we're cool. To prove it, I shall read a nifty story of mine from my children's book "Snake and Lizard".
Audience: cheers and chuckles at the right places
Guido Westerwelle, secretary of state: "To make up for the fact I embarrassed the nation last year by declaring myself unable to pronounce the names of the Icelandic guests, I will now start my speech in English AND Maori."
Audience: would rather hear more Snake and Lizard stories
GW: New Zealand is great. LOVED the Hongi when I signed the recent treaty there. The press photographers loved me rubbing noses, too, I know. Love the landscape, dig Lord of the Rings which until me nobody has mentioned yet. Clearly, New Zealanders and Germans are made for each other. Even if China just overtook Europe as New Zealand's most important trade partner. Remember, folks, we should pay more attention to the pacific! Which brings me to the fact everyone is down on the EU these days because it seems all Finance Us While We Insult You For Not Giving Us More, but we do get out something out of it, too, and we have to stay committed Europeans because nationalism & us never did anyone any good. Over to you, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister!"
Bill English, Deputy PM of New Zealand: "We totally scored more medals than you did at the Olympics this year. You're great tourists, though. Check out the Weeta Workshop stand on our pavillon. Then book a ticket, we need more tourists!" (The last sentence was actually a direct quote.)
Have an illustration: the deputy PM with the camera also capturing Bill Manhire and Joy Crowley:
The speeches thus being concluded, everyone wandered to the New Zealand pavillon. Now usually this is because at the guest of honour pavillon, there is some free food at the opening night; the exhibition itself tends to get watched during the following days. But the New Zealanders had organized a show right then and there, and also, they made the pavillon into an island surrounded by water, in which various musicians and dancers were standing, and it looked sublime, very poetical, but alas my camera only can give a pale impression. And of course no sound, which is a shame. The singers were magnificent!
But in order, here were the speeches.
Head of booktrade company, Gottfried Honnefelder: "Yes, bookstores everywhere are closing or sizing down, and the trends from the US are worrying (when are they not?), because usually we follow suit within ten years or so. But there is opportunity, too! Now that the big bookstore chains are buckling down because of digital pirats and bloody Amazon, the hour of the small book shop returns. Cheer up, comrades! Also, politicians, remember to hold firm to the copyright. The French are doing more than you! Follow French example and make sure Amazon can no longer hide between Luxembourg tax exemptions."
Jürgen Boos, still mostly famous for chickening out before the Chinese a few years ago: "Other than New Zealand, our theme this year is children's literature. This sells! Also, it's the future. And we do have over 7300 exhibitors this year, so despite the fact all bookstores have a 4% minus, don't be so glum.
New Mayor of Frankfurt, Mr. Feldmann: "To this end, the city of Frankfurt donates 500 tickets for the book fair to children from our city this year. This is supposed to make you forget you're all missing my predecessor, Petra Roth."
Bill Manhire, New Zealand writer: "I love that so many German words start with Z - Zeitgeist, Zukunft, Zauber. Clearly, we're soulmates. We're the masters of self deprecation in New Zealand, but seeing as you invited us as your guest of honour, let's celebrate us!"
Joy Cowley, New Zealand writer: "The Sorrows of Young Werther were my favourite novel when I was 20."
(Audience, reading the book only because they have to in school, and ghost of Goethe, who in his later life felt like Doyle did when killing Holmes about good old Werther: WHAT?)
JC: We New Zealanders are in the top ten in every department, science, literature, sports, despite being only four million. Because we're cool. To prove it, I shall read a nifty story of mine from my children's book "Snake and Lizard".
Audience: cheers and chuckles at the right places
Guido Westerwelle, secretary of state: "To make up for the fact I embarrassed the nation last year by declaring myself unable to pronounce the names of the Icelandic guests, I will now start my speech in English AND Maori."
Audience: would rather hear more Snake and Lizard stories
GW: New Zealand is great. LOVED the Hongi when I signed the recent treaty there. The press photographers loved me rubbing noses, too, I know. Love the landscape, dig Lord of the Rings which until me nobody has mentioned yet. Clearly, New Zealanders and Germans are made for each other. Even if China just overtook Europe as New Zealand's most important trade partner. Remember, folks, we should pay more attention to the pacific! Which brings me to the fact everyone is down on the EU these days because it seems all Finance Us While We Insult You For Not Giving Us More, but we do get out something out of it, too, and we have to stay committed Europeans because nationalism & us never did anyone any good. Over to you, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister!"
Bill English, Deputy PM of New Zealand: "We totally scored more medals than you did at the Olympics this year. You're great tourists, though. Check out the Weeta Workshop stand on our pavillon. Then book a ticket, we need more tourists!" (The last sentence was actually a direct quote.)
Have an illustration: the deputy PM with the camera also capturing Bill Manhire and Joy Crowley:
The speeches thus being concluded, everyone wandered to the New Zealand pavillon. Now usually this is because at the guest of honour pavillon, there is some free food at the opening night; the exhibition itself tends to get watched during the following days. But the New Zealanders had organized a show right then and there, and also, they made the pavillon into an island surrounded by water, in which various musicians and dancers were standing, and it looked sublime, very poetical, but alas my camera only can give a pale impression. And of course no sound, which is a shame. The singers were magnificent!
