Wales at Frankfurt Book Fair: Showcasing Wales at the world’s largest content fair

Wales will have a presence at Frankfurt Book Fair this October for the second year in a row, thanks to funding from Welsh Government via Creative Wales. The Books Council of Wales is coordinating Wales’ presence at the fair to promote the very best books and authors from Wales on an international stage.

Frankfurt Book Fair takes place each year in October and is the largest content fair in the world, with representation from countries from across the globe travelling to Germany to showcase the very best of their books and literature across all genres.

This key cultural event attracted 4,000 exhibitors from 95 countries in 2023, as well as over 100,000 trade visitors from 130 countries.[1] By attending, Wales-based publishers can meet representatives from other creative industries, such as film and games, as well as other publishers, to discuss collaborations, rights and licensing, and build relationships

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “We are delighted to be coordinating Wales in Frankfurt this year and to attend alongside our publishing colleagues to celebrate literature from Wales and present it to the world.

“The bilingual publishing sector in Wales forms part of the foundational economy which is a Welsh Government priority sector within the Creative Industries. Thanks to Welsh Government, publishers from Wales have this opportunity to make new business contacts from across Europe and the world, to exchange ideas and open up new markets for books and content from Wales in both languages.”

Richard Davies from publisher Parthian Books said: “The bookfair in Frankfurt is the shop window of the world of books. It is a great opportunity for Parthian to be part of the Wales stand and introduce exciting emerging writers, like Joshua Jones and Lloyd Markham, to an international audience.”

The Minister for the Creative Industries, Jack Sargeant, said: “We are committed to supporting Welsh publishers and authors and it’s good news that they will be represented once again this year at Frankfurt. I wish every success to the Welsh delegation as they seek to ensure more words and stories from Wales are heard and read all over the world.”

Frankfurt Book Fair is open from 16–20 October 2024. You can find out more about the fair here: Frankfurter Buchmesse | Home

[1] Get to know Frankfurter Buchmesse

Bethan Gwanas receives highest Welsh accolade in the field of Children’s Books:
Announcing the recipient of the 2024 Mary Vaughan Jones Award

The 2024 Mary Vaughan Jones Award, the highest honour in the field of children’s books in Wales, is awarded to Bethan Gwanas, in celebration of her exceptional contribution to children’s and young people’s literature.

The award is presented every three years by the Books Council of Wales in memory of Mary Vaughan Jones, who died in 1983. It is awarded to a person who has made a special contribution to the field of children’s literature in Wales.

Over her career as an author, Bethan Gwanas has published 51 books for children, young people and adults – for both fluent Welsh speakers and learners. She has made a wide and valuable contribution to children’s and young people’s literature, and her stories often feature strong and determined female characters, such as Efa in the series Y Melanai.

She has won the Tir na n-Og Award twice – with Llinyn Trôns in 2001 and Sgôr in 2003. Many of her books for children and young people are now considered classics such as Llinyn Trôns, Ceri Grafu, Gwylliaid, Pen Dafad and the Cadi series for younger readers.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “Bethan Gwanas’ contribution to children’s and young people’s literature in Wales is exceptional, and it’s a pleasure to present her with the 2024 Mary Vaughan Jones Award in recognition of her many achievements in this field. In addition to writing amazing stories, Bethan is passionate about promoting reading and Welsh-language books, and she works tirelessly with schools and libraries, and online, to inspire children and young people to read. Many congratulations, Bethan, on this well-deserved award.”

Bethan Gwanas said: “I had such a shock. I was in a meeting when all of a sudden, the Books Council boss walked in: “Bethan, you thought you were here for a meeting, but…” It felt like a cross between This Is Your Life and Y Brodyr Bach. My first thought was, “Are you mad?” but then I realised: “No, I deserve this!” Some people get a clock after a lifetime of service. I get the Mary Vaughan Jones Award! And yes, I’m over the moon and thank you from the bottom of my heart for this honour. It means the world to me.”

Bethan Gwanas was raised in Brithdir near Dolgellau. After graduating in French from the University of Aberystwyth she worked in a number of jobs, including with VSO in Nigeria, sourcing extras for S4C TV programme Rownd a Rownd, leading activities such as canoeing and climbing at the Glan-llyn outdoor activity centre, and presenting Welsh-language TV shows on gardening and travelling.

A special event will be held in November to celebrate Bethan’s achievement and present her with the award in the company of family and friends from the book world and beyond.

INSPIRING YOUNG READERS IN THE CLASSROOM

Teachers across Wales have a new resource to help them inspire a love of reading with young learners.

Today, 1 October, the Books Council of Wales has launched a Celebrate Reading Pack for primary and secondary schools, full of ideas, activities and special resources to enjoy reading in the classroom.

The pack was created following feedback received from teachers in Wales asking for resources that would help them to celebrate reading all year round, in addition to the popular reading celebrations such as World Book Day in March, and UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day in April.

Ruth James, a teacher from Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr said: “There were a whole host of brand new ideas that would engage pupils to read. Having a resource like this is so valuable. We will definitely be using a number of the activities this year and encouraging the rest of the staff to use them too. I can’t stress enough the importance of creating a reading culture in class.”

Bethan Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion said: “We’re so pleased to offer this pack to teachers across Wales to help them instil a love of reading, and to enjoy books with learners in the classroom.

“From the review we held in 2023, we received a clear message from teachers that they would welcome resources to help them create more opportunities to celebrate reading in class throughout the year.

“The pack focusses on a range of books from Wales, and includes activities, discussion guides, author recordings, and links to subjects across the Curriculum for Wales, together with ideas that can also be adapted for studying other books.

“The pack is also full of great ideas to celebrate books in schools inside and outside the classroom – from reading events, book swaps, displays and assemblies – to put reading and a love of books at the heart of school life.

“We really hope that it will answer the call from teachers for resources to help them in the classroom, and make reading for pleasure a part of the day-to-day life of the school.”

The Celebrate Reading Pack is available for schools to download from the Books Council of Wales website: Celebrate Reading Pack | Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru