Sir, - I am writing with regard to Ireland and its diaspora being the focal theme at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, "the biggest cultural event of its kind in the world". Thirty or so writers have been invited to represent this theme, but all of the writers, except for Edna O'Brien, live in Ireland. Moreover, none of the invited articulates what it is like to be an emigrant in any extensive way.
I am not by any means faulting the writers, but I am criticising those who organised the invitation list. As it stands now, this year's Frankfurt Book Fair is akin to organising a conference on "Men and Women," and inviting only men.
I'm glad to see that groups who are often poorly represented, women and the Irish language writers, have received proper recognition. But what about those who write about the seemingly invisible group which the Frankfurt Book Fair purports to represent and highlight? - Yours, etc.,
South Winooski Avenue, Burlington,
Vermont 65401, US.