New Delhi, October 4th, 2013: Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place, in association with The Embassy of France in India – Institut français en Inde, launched the new French Books section at Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place on Friday, 4th October 2013. The gracious ambassador of France to India, Mr. H.E. Mr François Richier honored the momentous occasion with unveiling of the novel French corner in the presence of illustrious guests.
Francophiles, gear up! Oxford Bookstore will tickle your literary sensibilities and cultural leanings with a grand entry into the world of magnificent assortment of French Books, on almost everything under the sun. Being the first-ever undertaking of its kind in New Delhi, it pledges to be a buzzing space for the French language enthusiasts, expats, readers and bibliophiles to discover and devour the characteristic French works. The litterateurs’ predilection for everything French finds its moorings in the cultural hub that the zone endeavors to be.
Mr. Francois Richier, the Ambassador of France to India, on this venture, said, “We have separate sections for Indian authors in French bookstores, but it was not vice-versa earlier, so we came up with this initiative to cater to the French reading population here.”
Ms. Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group, said, “We at Oxford Bookstore believe that literature is not just about the printed- or even the written word, or for that matter about language itself – but that it illumines and deepens the connections between thought, creativity, governance and society as a whole. Literature must be nurtured and valued, for people and society to evolve. And a French Book Section at Oxford Bookstore in New Delhi, such as this, which dedicates itself to celebrating and showcasing the rich and varied literary traditions of France, as well as its very modern and delightfully captivating literary trends, has an important role to play.”
Oxford Bookstore, in collaboration with the Book Office of the Embassy of France in India / Institut français en Inde, have conceived of and realized the project to introduce the best of French literature to readers in New Delhi. This earnest initiative is bound to fascinate adult and young minds alike, and also mark the inception of the long-term cooperation between the French Book Office and Oxford Bookstore.
Starting out with around 400 French titles, the French Books section’s collection includes carefully handpicked titles sourced from a typical Parisian bookstore. The endeavour brings together on Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place’s shelves classic and contemporary French literature (Fiction, Non-fiction and Children’s books), titles from the latest rentrée littéraire (the period in France in which publishing houses released hundreds of much anticipated books), as well as the French translations of some of the most celebrated works of Indian literature of notable authors like R.K. Narayan, Rabindranath Tagore, Anita Desai, Shobhaa De, Amit Chaudhuri, etc., to name a few.
About Oxford Bookstore
Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place offers a carefully curated list of titles for booklovers to browse through and buy, and perhaps the world’s largest assortment of teas in the hip Cha Bar, to create a holistic experience for book lovers. The entrance leading to the bookstore houses a big Neon Wall, a cloud of words in English-Hindi-Latin that envelopes book lovers in a universe of emotions linked to reading. Inside, in the tranquil space, hands-on staff, knowledgeable and highly trained book specialists, offer suggestions of handpicked titles from major, independent and indie publishers: a great selection of books, some exclusive to Oxford Bookstore. The selection features both emerging and established authors from India and the world. Shelves stocked with the best in Indian Writing, International Fiction and Translations take one into a spacious, elongated Reading Room, which opens onto a dedicated Events Space. Well-researched sections on Languages and New Age books address issues of addiction, relationships, unexplained phenomena, and showcase the best of thinkers and Indian gurus. Besides, art books in English, on travel, lifestyle, photography, fashion, gastronomy, and other similar themes, are also available.