One of the coolest things that happened last night was when, in the middle of the Berlin Verlag party, everyone went dead silent to watch the announcement of the Booker Prize. (_The White Tiger_ by Aravind Adiga won.)
For one thing, it was interesting to see people freaking out over a book award. Of course, people from Atlantic were there, and had good reason to be excited, but even so, it was a unique experience.
Even stranger—to Americans—was the fact that the Booker ceremony was televised! Can you imagine an hour-long National Book Award presentation program? Featuring Tom Jones?
Bizarre these countries where the written word is cherished and celebrated . . .
BTW, my posts are up at the “Frankfurt blog.:http://www.book-fair.com/en/blog/ There are three of us covering the fair and tons of events, so this should be one of the best sources for information about what’s going on at this year’s fair.
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“Even stranger—to Americans—was the fact that the Booker ceremony was televised!”
To be shown in what country, I wonder? It used to be the case that the BBC would begin with some Booker buildup – a bit about the books, readings, interviews with the authors, punditry on the sofa, etc – before heading over to the main event and showcasing the chairperson giving their speech, followed by the announcement, followed by the winner’s speech.
About four years ago the coverage stopped, the announcement of the winner relegated to a two minute spot on the evening news. Who, having seen it last year, could forget Howard Davies, then chairman, announcing the winner, with Anne Enright, gasping in disbelief, running forward to make her speech, and the action cutting back to the news studio, where the newscaster saying, and I paraphrase, “Anne Enright, there, winning the Booker…and now over to whoever, for the weather.”
Last night’s coverage was no better. The sad thing is, in these last four years, the BBC has launched BBC4, a dedicated channel for culture. They could easily have made room for coverage of the prize ceremony. Instead it remains, a passing mention, on the ten o’ clock news. Sad, really.