Chapter 358

Although the door was closed, there were several English banners, so one could understand what had happened.

"Strongly protest South Africa's participation!"

"We must return to our homeland! Our hometown with the sound of war drums!"

"Oppose apartheid, strongly demand the release of Mandela!"

Melinda sorted it out: "It should be that South African publishers have also come to participate, but now the South African government is being beaten by everyone on the African continent, and publishers from other African countries have protested by closing the pavilion."

Now the book fair official is estimated to be in a dilemma, because their purpose is: allow any publishing company in the world to exhibit any book.

The African delegation made such a fuss. If you drive away South Africa, it violates the purpose. But if you keep South Africa, this theme exhibition will be ruined.

"But who is this Mandela?" Melinda was a little unclear.

"Maybe he is a fighter." Wei Ming was not surprised that Melinda didn't know Mandela.

In his impression, he only knew Mandela in the late 1980s. By the early 1990s, Mandela was released, gave a speech, and took office as president, and his international prestige reached its peak. By the 21st century, he was labeled as a "sinner of South Africa" by some people.

Melinda worried: "Will it be closed all the time? We still have the *Lion King* promotion plan."

Wei Ming asked: "Is the international community very concerned about the South African issue now?"

"Yes," Melinda nodded, "South Africa's apartheid policy has caused public anger, and ethnic conflicts have become increasingly fierce. It has been sanctioned by the United Nations since the 1960s. Recently, it is often seen in international news. It is the focus of global attention. Maybe one day South African blacks and whites will break out in war."

Although Britain was once the suzerain of South Africa, it was at the forefront of opposing the apartheid system. In the media and on the streets of London, you can sometimes see advertisements and slogans against apartheid.

After all, the whites in power in South Africa now are descendants of the Dutch, French, and Germans, the Boers. They fought a lot with the British for gold mines back then.

However, the so-called sanctions of the United Nations twenty years ago obviously did not hurt South Africa's muscles and bones. South Africa's GDP still went all the way up and became the first in Africa. After all, the South African white government was supported by the old US and the old Israel, and could occasionally fight Angola.

In Wei Ming's impression, it would have to wait until the mid-1980s. The ethnic conflicts in South Africa were increasingly intensified, and the two major countries of the US and the Soviet Union began to impose economic sanctions on South Africa.

The two major hooligans took the lead, and countries around the world attacked. Under the internal and external troubles, South Africa's economy began to collapse, and finally chose to release Mandela in the early 1990s, and he took over the mess.

Wei Ming asked: "Are there any literary works about South Africa? I want to see them."

Melinda unfolded the *Book Trade News* and turned to the back page: "Here, Nadine Gordimer's latest novel *July's People*. She is a South African writer. Although she is white, she is also an anti-apartheid fighter. This novel also tells the story between races. It was published by an American publisher, and several translation rights were sold yesterday."

What Wei Ming didn't know was that Ms. Nadine Gordimer was the first Nobel Prize winner in literature in South Africa, mainly relying on this *July's People*. She also participated in the editing of Mandela's famous speech "I am prepared to die," so her works were often banned in South Africa.

Melinda: "But why are you interested in this? Didn't you say you don't like black..."

Wei Ming hurriedly covered her mouth. Don't say incorrect and ununited words.

"I just said that Chinese people like white as beauty, so I like white girls like you. I can't stand black girls. When did I say I don't like black brothers." As long as they stay in Africa, black brothers who stay in Europe and America are good brothers.

The two set off for Hall 5. Melinda prepared to see if she could help Wei Ming find a few works to understand the status quo of South Africa and Africa. Of course, it must be in English.

Africa is now a mess, with various ethnic massacres and warlord wars. In the final analysis, it is not the evil done by the shit-stirring sticks of Britain, the US, France, and the Soviet Union. Therefore, it is natural and reasonable for them to bear the evil consequences of Africa, as long as they don't harm China. We didn't do those wicked things.

Wei Ming even wanted to pour a bucket of oil on the fire of anti-apartheid in Africa.

Just arriving at Hall 5, Wei Ming saw Gong Biyang. He was signing a contract with the staff of Macmillan, taking the lead in winning the traditional Chinese authorization for the two picture books *The Lion King* and *Jumanji*.

Next, he also wanted to sign the novel *Jurassic Park*.

Wei Ming smiled: "Isn't it better for you to buy it directly from the mainland? It's simple to translate, just change the font."

Seeing Wei Ming return, Gong Biyang hurriedly got up to greet Wei Ming.

"That's fine, then let's talk after we operate these two books."

If the Taiwan side is loose, *Jurassic Park*, *Heroes from Youth*, and *A Terracotta Warrior* can all be operated. The background of these books does not involve the current mainland government, and the risk factor is relatively low.

Wei Ming told Gong Biyang: "We also hope to introduce works by Taiwanese writers, such as Bai Xianyong's novels. You can go talk to our team leader."

"Oh, that's great. Mr. Bai Xianyong and I are also very good friends."

"Oh, is that so." Wei Ming imperceptibly pulled away. This Gong Biyang has a round face and sideburns. Could it be that kind of good friend?

Wei Ming knows Mr. Bai Xianyong's attributes. He does not discriminate against gay, but is there already AIDS now? He pays more attention to safety.

After Gong Biyang left, Wei Hong also came over. She chatted skillfully with the Macmillan staff in English, and Wei Ming continued to read the little yellow book.

After waiting for more than an hour, Melinda came over with a few books. At the same time, a white man came with her.

I saw him from afar at the opening ceremony yesterday, Mr. Wei Haoshi, the chairman of the book fair.

Wei Haoshi is in his 40s, with a full beard and some baldness. In the prime of his life, he has been in charge of the Frankfurt Book Fair for only a few years, and he has created a theme pavilion, and invited China, which has a market of one billion, back to the book fair. Moreover, the growth rate of the book fair's transaction volume every year is more than 10%, and its international influence is getting bigger and bigger.

Just now, after his persuasion, 400 publishers from 32 African countries finally agreed to give him face, closing the pavilion for only one day, and reopening tomorrow.

It happened that Melinda met Wei Haoshi and talked about the closing of Hall 7. Wei Haoshi hurriedly expressed his apology. This was something that had been decided with Macmillan Publishing House long ago, but it made people run for nothing.

He agreed with Melinda to hold the event as usual tomorrow, and he would attend in person at that time. Walking, the two arrived outside Hall 5. Melinda asked Wei Haoshi to go to Macmillan's booth to guide the work, and by the way, introduced him to Wei Ming. Everyone is surnamed Wei.

An author from a non-English speaking country wants to gain global popularity. In addition to his own writing skills and the level of the translator, there are two other important points: awards and book fairs.

So Melinda also intends to let Wei Ming and Wei Haoshi, the first person in the book fair, have a good relationship.

And Wei Haoshi is also very curious about Wei Ming. A writer, not only spanning the two fields of children's literature and serious literature, but also an excellent musician. Even in Germany, he can often hear the two songs he collaborated with Sarah Brightman. The level is indeed very high.

Now he has more curiosity about Wei Ming. Listening to Melinda, the books about South Africa in her hand are what Wei Ming wants to see.

So, why?

Wei Ming took the books: "I have a very rich reading volume in China, and I have also read a lot of international news. Before, I didn't know that tens of millions of black people in South Africa were suffering from unfair treatment. 80% of the population is restricted to 10% of the land. My words are light, and I may not be able to do anything, but at least I can understand, not be a confused person, and have a clear position when seeing those banners."

Wei Haoshi nodded with surprise: "You are not the same as those German Chinese I know. They are honest and dutiful, seem to be not very interested in the world, and only care about things around them. And you have a broad international vision. No wonder you can write excellent works that are popular in the world."

"In fact, many college students in China are full of vigor, full of desire to explore, and full of curiosity about the world, but they don't have the conditions to go out and see the world," Wei Ming shook the book in his hand, "As a person who can come out, maybe I can tell them the world I see."

When saying this sentence, Wei Ming's heart also moved slightly. He has been abroad twice. Can he write some real articles about foreign countries? Unbiased, fair and objective.

In this way, at least when young friends see those demented articles in *Reader* and *Youth Digest* in the future, someone can stand up and say: "But Teacher Wei Ming wrote an article, saying that big cities in Germany will also have rain and waterlogging, and not everyone in Japan drinks toilet water!"

Wei Ming was thinking, and at this time Wei Haoshi had already applauded: "Well said, this is the meaning of book exchange, and it is also what the Frankfurt Book Fair wants to see. I hope more books will be translated into Chinese, and I also hope to see Chinese books come out."

After the value was added, Wei Haoshi also invited Wei Ming. Gunter Grass will come to the book fair in the afternoon to hold a meeting.

Gunter Grass is a prominent figure in the West German literary world today. Wei Haoshi invited several writers with a certain international reputation to participate.

Previously, Wei Ming was not invited. After all, his attributes as a children's literature writer are greater now, and Gunter Grass's literature is serious and fierce.

Gunter Grass, born in 1927, a future Nobel Prize winner. Last year, the German film *The Tin Drum* adapted from his novel of the same name won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Previously, it also won the Cannes highest honor, the Palme d'Or.

Afraid that Wei Ming didn't know Gunter Grass, Wei Haoshi also specifically introduced this gentleman's achievements. He is not only a writer, poet, and painter, but also a politician.

Wei Ming didn't know much about it, but when it came to *The Tin Drum*, he was still very familiar with it. This is one of his favorite German films, and he has watched it more than once.

"So do you want to come and listen too."

"Of course." Wei Ming agreed readily.

Next, Wei Ming began to read works such as Nadine Gordimer's *A World of Strangers* that Melinda helped him find. The latest *July's People* can only be seen at the booth of that publishing company.

Although Wei Ming just said some high-end words, Melinda always felt that it was not so simple.