150 Russian authors attend Frankfurt book fair

More than one quarter of events at the Frankfurt book fair were connected with Russia. According to the St. Petersburg governor's office organizers of the book fair said Russia had by far the largest presence at the event. Thanks to photo exhibits, author's readings, concerts, films and theatre performances, visitors to the book fair got an idea of what life in modern Russia is like.

Moreover, 150 Russian authors attended the book fair and acquainted visitors with their works and conducted readings. Popular Russian contemporary writers including Victor Pelevin, Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Victor Yerofeyev and Dariya Dontsova also attended the book fair.

As part of the program Russia-New Pages a photo exhibit Exposed for Stalin was opened, Yuri Lyubimov's theatre performed Faust and the book fair was opened by stars of Russian art. A video entitled St. Petersburg - 300 Years was also shown.

It is significant that Russia became an 'honorary guest' at the festival in the same year of St. Petersburg's tri-centennial anniversary. An exhibition covering 100 square meters at the Forum pavilion was devoted to St. Petersburg and developed by St. Petersburg artist and decorator Andrei Dmitriyev. Guests of the pavilion visited the photo exhibition Day. Night. Petersburg and saw the video presentation of the best documental films about St. Petersburg.

A spokesperson for the book fair said that 'we're very fortunate that St. Petersburg became the center of the exhibition.' He added that 'the city, and the tri-centennial are symbols of the rapprochement of Germany and Russia. We were amazed at the quality and diversity of the published works, the book stands devoted to St. Petersburg also caused great excitement particularly among specialists and admirers.'