A Bernama report carried in
the mainstream newspapers (but largely ignored online) says that
Malaysia has been chosen as the Theme Nation for the Tokyo
International Book Fair 2014 from July 2-5, 2014, apparently "in
recognition of the nation for achieving the status as Asia's
largest book hub." Really? Larger than Japan, India, China,
Singapore ..? Biggest in what way?To most people in the Malaysian book industry the Tokyo International Book Fair is not very well known -- Frankfurt, London, Bologna, Delhi and Beijing are the famous ones. But Tokyo must be huge, and it's our loss that we do not engage with them more.
The official 'showcase' website says: "The largest international book fair in Japan, organised by the TIBF Executive Committee, which is comprised of major publishing associations and Reed Exhibitions Japan. Ideal platform for rights negotiations, co-publishing projects, and direct exports." At least they are not bragging that they are the biggest in the world, or Asia, or whatever. Guess they don't have an inferiority complex. The official website has very little by way of information, except that Malaysia is the 9th theme nation, and the coming fair appears to be the 21st event.
There is very little news about the TIBF in general, but the following is culled from the internet:
1. A 2-year-old Publishing Perspective report: "The TIBF used to be popular because if offered consumers the opportunity to buy books at a discount, typically 20% off the catalog price – this is more important in Japan because of its fixed book prices in bookstores." Ah! so it is a consumer fair.
2. A current Biztradeshows report: "Tokyo International Book Fair will be visited by exhibitors and visitors coming from different parts of the world. They will come from more than 25 countries such as Japan, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark and many more." This sounds like boring sales talk.
But it is easy to guess what the Malaysian stand will look like. It will be well designed (ie., expensive). Food will be served every day (as much for the Malaysian staff as for the visitors.) There will be wau bulan, bunga mangga, gasing spinning, wayang kulit, makyong, and tourism brochures. Books will be a sideshow, with the usual suspects exhibiting.
Why does anyone think we have a vibrant book industry? We must be the most anti-intellectual nation in the world!
