Jakarta. Ten Indonesian publishers, two literary agencies and an illustration agency, involving about 350 book titles, will participate in this year's Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany on Oct. 16-20.

According to the National Book Committee, the 10 publishers are Gramedia, Mizan Group, Kesaint Blanc, ASTA Ilmu Publishing, Kanisius, Lontar Foundation, Marjin Kiri, Pionicon, Yayasan Pustaka Obor and re:On Comics. The two literary agencies are Borobudur Agency and Literasia, while Fabula is the illustration agency.

The Indonesian team will present works by authors Rio Johan, Soe Tjen Marching, Diana Rikasari and Feby Indirani on the Asean Forum stage during the international book fair.

The National Book Committee sees this year's Frankfurt Book Fair as an opportunity not only to display printed books, but also content that can be placed in various multimedia platforms. The slots given to Indonesia will therefore include nonliterary content, such as cultural performances.

"The Frankfurt Book Fair has become a content exhibition event, which not only includes printed books but also other multimedia products. Indonesia will present the country's creative content, which hopefully can be highly regarded abroad and become an open opportunity to apply to various media," Laura Prinsloo, chairwoman of the National Book Committee, said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The nonliterary content that will be exhibited include culinary dishes by Aku Cinta Makanan Indonesia, musical performances by Oppie Andaresta, work by prominent poet Joko Pinurbo, and live murals by illustration artists Mayumi Haryoto, Evelyn Ghozalli, Antonio Reinhard Wisesa and Mohammad "Emte" Taufiq.

"This international book event can hopefully result in even bigger opportunities for all stakeholders in the country's publishing industry. Books are not only cultural diplomacy tools, but also economic means that can bring in foreign exchange," Laura said.

Indonesia will also use Frankfurt Book Fair 2019 to promote Unesco World Book Capital City, which it will host in 2022.

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