The Geneva Book & Press Fair: A future for reading?

Compared to India’s Jaipur Festival, now regarded as one of the world’s leading literary events and heavily attractive to young readers, the Geneva Book and Press Fair is a different beast. Far more commercial, it is seeking to establish itself as the throbbing heart of the publishing industry, at least in Europe.

Even though the guest of honour is Japan in tribute to 150 years of Swiss-Japanese diplomacy, the problem is that the fair still comes off as parochial – meaning Swiss or francophone – rather than asserting itself as a truly international event in a publishing world overly-dominated by English. Many of the authors – some of them heavy hitters such as Pierre Assouline and Abdellatif Laâbi – are Swiss, French, Canadian but also from elsewhere such as South Africa. The Fair’s president, Isabelle Falconnier, is clearly making an effort to appeal across borders and to break out from traditional concepts of publishing. An effort is clearly being made to appeal across borders, but one has the nagging feeling that content is guided more by sponsorship and salon fashion than literary fervour.

Nevertheless, this year’s fair (30 April–4 May) may come up with surprises. The Japanese will focus on storytelling, creation and lifestyle, and there are also scores of exhibitors, mainly from Switzerland, France, Canada and Belgium, promoting books, magazines and other publications, including electronic versions. Non-stop debates, readings, comic-book (BD) presentations, signings, photography workshops and other events abound, including discussions on the future of books and media, both crucial themes. Without doubt, there are hidden gems waiting to be discovered, which is really what book fairs should be about.

Past fairs seemed angled more on getting kids to buy rather than excite them about new creativity. In contrast, at Jaipur, it is impossible to ignore the thirst for literature among the youth who flock to listen to authors and gather autographs. Maybe this time Geneva will offer a more provocative attempt to inspire a new generation – one that will decide whether books will survive in a multi-platform internet age. At least the 2014 programme seems to offer an impressive diversity of kids’ workshops and events. So let’s see.