The European project and Frankfurt book fair 2017

Frankfurt book fair was held on 11-15 October 2017.  I attended the fair on 15 October. This is the international publishing industry's biggest trade fair. This year 7300 exhibitors from 102 countries have participated in the fair. Academic and Creative Publishers Association of Bangladesh, Agamee Prakashani, Bangladesh Publisher & Booksellers Association and Omicon Publishing House have participated in the fair from Bangladesh. Approximately 286425 visitors from 150 countries attended the fair and 4000 events were organised.
Every year book fair authority selects a country as their guest of honour. This year France is the guest of honour. So, the fair was opened by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Well before the fair, French writers as well as creative and cultural minds made appearances in German cities.
France Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian said, "Freedom of expression, creation and publication are commitments that we remain committed to supporting that Europe is a welcoming place for authors and intellectuals from around the world. We want Europe to be a place where cultural and creative industries develop since this is the pillar of economic growth ensuring fair financial recognition for creation in the service of cultural diversity."
This event brings together publishers who, through their choices, launch the translation and diffusion of texts, ideas and stories from around the world.  Director of the Frankfurt book fair, Juergen Boos said, "It's a place that benefits from an enormous diversity of opinion. We categorically reject the political position and publishing activities of the New Right. At the same time, as an organizer of the largest international trade fair for books and media, we are obliged to uphold the fundamental right to free expression."
Two hundred years ago, Anne Louise Germaine de Stael-Holstein, commonly known as Madame de Stael, a French woman of letters of Swiss origin whose lifetime overlapped with the events of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era said, "In these modern times, we should have the European spirit". France is naturally very proud to become a guest of honour, because they believe that this will allow them to rediscover and give new impetus to the Franco-German relationship. Balance of culture requires a movement. French believes that the ties with German will be strengthen through the book fair and it will  preserves the soul of a political, social and cultural Europe.
Some believe that Frankfurt book fair can revitalise the European project. When they say European project they mean "Treaty of Rome". Contemporary French philosopher Paul Ricoeur, best known for combining phenomenological description with hermeneutics wrote, "Linguistic hospitality, in which the pleasure of occupying the language of the other is repaid by the pleasure of receiving the word of the stranger in one's own home."  
The message that has been conveyed here is that France willingly greet and welcome other language, everything others have said or written about the incompleteness of French language, as well as everything that is written today and remains to be written. French writers have signed the text of Ricoeur in the book fair.
In his book, Essays and Aphorisms Schopenhauer wrote, "Writers can be divided into meteors, planets and fixed stars. The first produce a momentary effect: you gaze up, cry: look-and then they vanish forever. The second, the moving stars endure for much longer. By virtue of their proximity they often shine more brightly than the fixed stars, which the ignorant mistake them for. But they must soon vacate their place, they shine moreover only with a borrowed light, and their sphere of influence is limited to their own fellow travellers (their contemporaries). The third alone are unchanging, stand firm in the firmament, shine by their own light and influence all ages equally, in that their aspect does not alter when our point of view alters since they have no parallax."
Schopenhauer's way of classification of writers instigate me to suggest that evaluation of writers and their writings can happen in book fair. But in order to do such evaluation publishers need to produce some sample of contemporary writings and also writings of established writers. This exercise can enhance the quality of writing and also may satisfy and informed readers of all ages and categories. This has happened in France, German and some other exhibitor's stalls. France has strengthened their translation capability from French to German and arranged multiple meetings between publishing professionals from both countries.
Book fair is a place where we can disseminate ideas against intolerance and fanaticism. It provides a platform where we can meet, discuss and share our ideas, opinion and culture. Emile Ajar, a French writer and diplomat once said, 'Culture is meaningless unless it is fully engaged in changing people's lives.' Here Ajar indicates the emancipator power of culture, which can play a vital role. So, we need to draw together our legacy of the thinkers, authors and artists, who have spread Bangladesh's voice and talent beyond borders and also who can do so through their new writings.
Bangladesh visibility in the book fair has increased this year in comparison with other years.  However, how far Bangladesh has contributed to this fair, require some evaluation. Bangladesh stalls' displays of books are often driven by political momentum, but most important thing is to demonstrate culture, history and originality in writings through the book fair.
Plato wrote, "Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."  A Publisher has a very important role to play in this soul searching mission. Because, today's choice of a publisher will determine what we will be reading tomorrow.  
I hope that next year Bangladesh will further reinforce cooperation and cultural exchange between countries around the world through Frankfurt book fair.

Dr Kanan Purkayastha is an Environmental Advisor and writer based in the UK