Frankfurt Book Fair: Russians to smash stereotype ideas of Russia

Russian participants in the International Book Fair in Frankfurt in Germany, opening early in September, are going to smash the stereotyped idea of Russia - nest-dolls, vodka, caviar.

"For that, 20 round tables, author's presentations and multimedia cafes will be held. The Russian pavilions will be duly designed - without bells and the Kremlin walls," said deputy press minister Vladimir Grigoryev.

To him, the Russian Culture Ministry has prepared eight exhibitions, such as The 50s-70s Art.

"Also the shaman art will be showcased because it is part of our culture. Russia is a multiethnic country and we must show what it is like," said Grigoryev in a Rossiiskaya Gazeta interview.

Also a television linkup with cosmonauts now in orbit will be arranged, he said. "Direct communication with cosmonauts is one proof of the economic attraction of Russia, which can manage high technologies and not only export oil and gas", said the deputy press minister.

Today Russian literature is barely known in the world. "This year's Frankfurt book fair, where Russia is an honorary guest, is an attempt at aggressive marketing, 'pushing' Russian authors into foreign book markets", said Grigoryev.

A hundred Russian authors will come to Frankfurt, he reported.