Image Copyright: Frankfurter Buchmesse
India is set to make a dynamic impression at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, taking place from October 15–19, 2025, with a large-scale presentation celebrating the country’s linguistic and literary diversity. Curated by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Consulate General of India in Frankfurt, this year’s participation will feature for the first time an exclusive ‘India Stage’—a platform designed to connect Indian and international voices in publishing, culture, and education.
A Unified Effort to Promote ‘Brand India’
The India National Stand, themed “Read and Explore India – पढ़ें और जानें भारत – Lies und Entdecke Indien!”, embodies a Whole-of-Government approach, bringing together national institutions and private publishers under one umbrella.
Originally conceptualised by the Ministry of Education in 2023, the initiative aims to project India as a global hub of creativity, languages, and knowledge exchange. NBT, the nodal agency for the Promotion of Indian Books Abroad, is spearheading this representation.
The India Stand’s visual identity draws inspiration from Mithila art of Bihar, designed by the National Institute of Design (NID). Its mascot, featuring a family reading together alongside the peacock—India’s national bird—symbolises literary unity, imagination, and emotional depth reflected in India’s storytelling traditions.
Grand Inauguration and Literary Highlights
The India National Stand will be inaugurated on October 15, 2025, by Ms. Suchita Kishore, Consul General of India in Frankfurt, alongside Mr. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT-India, and a gathering of Indian and international dignitaries.
A major highlight will be the launch of 17 Indian children’s books translated into German, marking a significant milestone in introducing Indian narratives to European readers.
“These translations are not just about books—they are about building bridges of understanding between young readers across continents,” said an NBT representative.
Twelve leading Indian publishers are attending the fair in person, while the works of over 90 publishers—including Bloomsbury, Rupa Publications, PHI Learning, Parragon, Fingerprint!, Motilal Banarsidass, and ICSSR—are featured through a Collective Exhibit of Books from India, providing a panoramic view of India’s rich publishing ecosystem.
Expanding Global Reach Through Rights and Translations
A new Rights Catalogue of Books from India, comprising nearly 250 titles in multiple languages—including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, and Asamiya—will be released to promote copyright trade and translation collaborations.
This catalogue is expected to open fresh opportunities for Indian authors and publishers in global markets, aligning with India’s larger mission to internationalise its creative economy.
‘India Stage’: A Global Platform for Dialogue
For the first time, the India Stage will host curated sessions with delegates from the EU, Greece, the Philippines, Algeria, and Colombia, focusing on fostering reading cultures and creative partnerships.
Of particular significance is the India–Philippines Dialogue, coinciding with the Philippines being the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. Another major session, the India–Colombia Meet, will explore collaborative publishing initiatives.
Panel discussions will also delve into themes such as Ayurveda, Meditation, Vastu Vidya, and the Indian Knowledge System, featuring contributions from German scholars.
Distinguished International and Indian Speakers
The forum brings together a diverse set of thought leaders and publishers, including Richard Charkin, veteran publishing executive (formerly Bloomsbury, Macmillan, and OUP), Argyris Kastaniotis of Kastaniotis Editions, Michalis Kalamaras, Greek publishing consultant, and David Unger, Guatemalan-American author and translator.
The India–EU Dialogue will feature Valentina Stoeva, Chair of EURead, and Daan Beeke, its Network Manager, known for his work on promoting reading habits and school libraries across Europe.
From India, Prof. Dhananjay Singh, Member-Secretary of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Payal Puri, former Editor of Cosmopolitan India, and literary professionals Kartik Raj Kushvah, Himanshu Chawla, C. M. Gosain, and Kumar Vikram, Chief Editor at NBT, will represent the Indian side.
Other Indian participants include R. Chandrasekaran, Director of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, and Subrahmanian Seshadri, Member of the Educational Publishers Forum of the International Publishers Association.
Bridging Cultures Through Translation
The translated children’s books—rendered into German by scholars Adele Hennig-Tembe, Sabine Müller, Thomas Vogel, Sahib Kapoor, and Jayashree Hari Joshi—form a core element of India’s literary diplomacy.
Translators Müller and Vogel will also join a special session titled “Cultural Communication among Children through Translations,” discussing how language bridges help shape global empathy among young readers.
A Celebration of Dialogue and Creativity
Over the five days of the fair, the India National Stand will act as a vibrant crossroads of literature, publishing, design, and culture, promoting India’s creative ecosystem while deepening ties with international partners.
By combining traditional wisdom with contemporary publishing innovation, India’s participation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 is poised to strengthen its voice in the global literary arena and spotlight the country’s evolving identity as a creative powerhouse of ideas and imagination.
