Featured at Frankfurt, while we were sleeping

On Thursday Robert shared with us his impressions of the Frankfurt Book Fair, where New Zealand had guest of honour status.
It is the largest industry event in the world.
The opening ceremony had lots of speeches, mostly in German, and as no-one had given Robert a translation headset he found this a bit tedious. He was therefore relieved when New Zealand's representatives, Bill English, Bill Manhire and Joy Cowley got up to have there say. He thought they all did really well but Joy Cowley was the stand out for him as she was so natural. The speeches had run over so it meant that most of the audience missed out on the next event.

Robert went to parties, gave readings, visited museums and hung out with other NZ writers. He thought the German culture was a very bookish one, even more so than New Zealand. He was sure that the money invested by New Zealand was well spent, and that there would be spin offs for New Zealand writers and for New Zealand in general.

Congratulations to Robert, whose German translation of his poetry book,"Star Waka" sold out.