Beijing book fair to woo more international readers with upgrades

"This year, all the books in Chinese that are exhibited will be shown with a jacket band to introduce the contents in English," Zhang said, noting that this will help international publishers find it easier to locate Chinese titles of interest.

Literature will again be highlighted during the fair, as a series of writers'events will be held, including a writers'night, BIBF Literature Salon, and Sino-Swedish poets'exchanges, along with a China-India writers forum.

Ge Fei, the newly crowned winner of China’s prestigious Maodun Literature Prize (announced on Aug 16), will have a dialogue with Spanish writer Enrique Vila-Matas on Aug 29.

Alan Lee, the Hobbits and Lord of Rings illustrator, and bestselling British American writer Simon Van Booy are to be involved in a series of book launches, meeting readers and writers'workshop in Beijing. They will also be joined by writers from various international backgrounds to hold talks with Chinese writers.

United Arab Emirates is featured as the guest of honor of the 2015 event.

Exhibitions of various art forms, including the country's signature handicrafts, Karkour and Khous, will present a feast of eyes to visitors, according to UAE official Saeed Almeiri.

Readers can also get their own version of Henna, a painted tattoo, to get a taste of the UAE culture.