Australia, Focus Country, at re-scheduled Kolkata Book Fair

Kolkata, Feb 9 (UNI) Booker Prize-winner Tom Keneally will inaugurate the 2007 Kolkata Book Fair at the Salt Lake Stadium here today as Australia has become the Focus Country.

However, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, an ardent book lover and known to be very enthusiast about the annual fiesta, will not be present on the opening ceremony because of 'urgent pre-occupation'.

But his absence will raise many eyebrows since this would be the first time when Mr Bhattacherjee would remain absent in the opening ceremony of Kolkata Book Fair.

Mr Keneally whose world famous novel Schindler's Ark became the basic theme for the Oscar winning movie Schindler's List, will also deliver the prestigious Ashok Sarkar Memorial Lecture during the 12- day fair, which has been shifted to the Salt Lake stadium after a lot of hue and cry over the previous venue at the Kolkata maidan.

Meanwhile, a large number of leading Australian writers like Graham Reilley and Kristy Murray have already arrived in the city to take part in the fair.

Expressing happiness at his country's largescale participation in the fair, considered to be the second largest in the world after Frankfurt, Australian Deputy High Commissioner in India David Holly here today said, "We are glad that the Kolkata Book Fair is taking place as it is one of the most awaited events for millions of book lovers across the continent. Our participation at the Fair as Focus Country is indicative of the increasing cultural linkages between Australia and India.The visit of eminent Australian authors will strengthen the literary connections between the two countries".

The fair started way back in 1975.

Incidentally, a two time winner of Australia's prestigious Miles Franklin Award and thrice shortlisted for the Man Booker, Mr Keneally has also written a number of screenplays, memoris and non-fiction.In 1983 he received an Order of Australia for his services to literature. While many of his recent books deal with Australian history and society,others tackled topics such as the American Civil War and famine in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

UNI