NEWS RELEASES
CANADIAN BOOKS IN SPOTLIGHTAT MAJOR LATIN AMERICAN BOOK FAIR
November 28, 1996 No. 222
CANADIAN BOOKS IN SPOTLIGHT
AT MAJOR LATIN AMERICAN BOOK FAIR
The richness of Canadian culture and the export potential of Canadian products
will be on display as Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Christine
Stewart opens Latin America's largest book fair in Mexico on November 30.
The Guadalajara International Book Fair, which runs from November 30 to December
8, will bring together exhibitors from some 25 countries. Canada is this year's
honoured guest nation, and will be given a prominent exhibition space to display
the talents of its writers and publishers.
"The Guadalajara fair is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the scope of
Canadian talent and forge deeper links with Latin American nations," said
Mrs. Stewart. "The promotion of Canadian culture abroad is one of the pillars of
Canadian foreign policy."
"Canada has a rich and diverse culture that has helped cement our national
identity," said International Trade Minister Art Eggleton. "Events such as this
let the world know what we have to offer."
Canada will be represented by 35 companies, mostly publishers of English and
French books. Exhibitors are drawn from many regions of Canada, and include 24
English-language companies and 11 French-language ones (a list of Canadian
exhibitors is attached).
Private sector participation is being organized by the Association for the Export
of Canadian Books, and the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City and the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade are co-ordinating the various cultural
activities. The governments of Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec are also funding
cultural events. Québec Édition, which promotes the sales of Quebec books abroad,
will organize and operate a book store at the event.
The fair's grand entrance space will feature the works of Canadian illustrators of
youth literature, organized by the Canadian Children's Book Centre of Toronto.
In addition, more than a dozen Canadian authors will attend the fair, including
P.K. Page, Matt Cohen, Linda Spalding, Louis Jolicoeur and Louis Hamelin.
Performing artists will be represented by: Vic Vogel (jazz), One Yellow Rabbit
(theatre), Dulcinea Langfelder (dance), the Headstones (rock) and Red Thunder
(First Nation Plains dance group).
A national Mexican newspaper, La Jornada, will also publish a weekend supplement
focussing on Canadian literature in translation, youth literature and the
international success of Canadian books.
The fair, organized by the University of Guadalajara, has trade and public
elements, and has become an influential venue for the promotion of books
throughout Latin America.
Statistics Canada figures indicate that the value of Canadian book exports to
Latin American doubled between 1992 and 1995 to $2.3 million. Canadian publishers
are making a concerted effort to expand exports beyond their two current largest
destinations -- the United States and Western Europe.
In addition to selling books, companies are boosting exports by selling foreign
rights and forging co-publication and co-production agreements.
Prior to the book fair, Mrs. Stewart will inaugurate a round table meeting in
Mexico City on November 27 and 28 aimed at fostering business links and co-operation between the Aboriginal communities of Canada and Mexico.
Mrs. Stewart will also inaugurate the new Canadian Consulate in Guadalajara on
November 29. The Consulate has been established with the goal of increasing
commercial relations between Canada and Western Mexico.
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A list of Canadian fair participants is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 996-6271
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
GUADALAJARA BOOK FAIR 1996
ANNICK PRESS
ÉDITIONS L'ARTICHAUT INC.
BLACK ROSE BOOKS LTD.
LES ÉDITIONS DU BORÉAL
CANADIAN CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN PUBLISHING
DOUGLAS & McINTYRE LTD./GREYSTONE/GROUNDWOOD
DUVAL HOUSE PUBLISHING
GROUPE BEAUCHEMIN
GUY SAINT-JEAN ÉDITEUR INC.
KIDS CAN PRESS
ITMB PUBLISHING LTD.
LA COURTE ÉCHELLE
LEMÉAC ÉDITEUR
LONE PINE PUBLISHING
McGILL-QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY PRESS
MOSAIC PRESS/INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS INC.
LES ÉDITIONS NOVALIS INC.
OWL BOOKS
PEMBROKE PUBLISHERS LTD.
PEMMICAN PUBLICATIONS INC.
PIPPIN PUBLISHING
QUARRY PRESS
LES ÉDITIONS QUÉBEC/AMÉRIQUE INC.
QUÉBECOR/GRAFICAS MONTE ALBAN
RAINCOAST BOOKS
REIDMORE BOOKS INC.
SCHOLASTIC CANADA LTD.
SELF-COUNSEL PRESS LTD.
STODDART PUBLISHING CO. LTD.
TRANSCONTINENTAL PRINTING INC.
LES ÉDITIONS TRIPTYQUE
ÉDITIONS ULYSSE
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA PRESS
WHITECAP BOOKS
XYZ ÉDITEUR
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