Visitors Attracted by Chinese Culture at New Delhi World Book Fair

Indian students try their hands on China’s ancient woodblock printing during a promotion event in the China Pavilion during the New Delhi World Book Fair on January 9, 2016. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The Chinese pavilion at the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair has hosted various activities to showcase Chinese culture.

China is the guest of honour at the fair.

10,000 books and over 60 promotional events at the New Delhi World Book Fair have attracted a host of visitors to the China pavilion.

After a live demonstration of Chinese calligraphy, many people queued up to try their hand at writing their names with a Chinese brush pen.

It was the first time for Paavan Parmar, and she is fascinated by the ancient art.

"Very impressive, so beautiful. This ancient Chinese handwriting is so good, and that brush is so smooth. This is a really good experience. We enjoyed it a lot."

For the first time in the event's history, a special enclosure has been set up by the guest of honour, displaying books and paintings for children.

Mr. Devesh brings his two sons to the book fair.

"Here we don't know much about China. We only know the products, and bi-production of the Chinese product, not about the rich literature, stories and parenting. When we go through this, we just realize how rich they are in literature, art, music."

Next door to the children's zone, a shelf showcasing books on Chinese learning is also one of the most visited places in the China pavilion.

Fu Yanbai is the editor from the Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

"We always get a lot of visitors, and have since the opening day. It is out of our expectation……It shows the people's passion for learning Chinese. Some of them are beginners, though many are fluent in Chinese. It's really surprised me."

Fu says Indian readers are eager to know more about China. Not only the language, but also it's history and traditional Chinese culture and arts. The Indian market offers great potential for Chinese publishers.