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Sir Christopher Ondaatje, 1933–2026
IN MEMORIAM
Sir Christopher Ondaatje, the Sri Lankan-born Canadian-British businessman, writer, explorer and arts patron, has died aged 93. After making his fortune in publishing and finance, he devoted his later life to exploration, travel writing and supporting cultural institutions, including the National Portrait Gallery.
Translating Chile Looks Toward Frankfurt 2027
Chile’s Translating Chile programme supports foreign publishers translating Chilean literature as the country prepares to become Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2027. The initiative aims to bring Chilean books to new languages, markets and readers.
More Than 800,000 Children Will Receive Impossible Creatures
More than 800,000 children across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will receive a special edition of Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures for Christmas. Organised with the National Literacy Trust as part of the UK’s National Year of Reading, the initiative aims to encourage reading for pleasure at the crucial transition between primary and secondary school.
A Major Honour for Tamil Literature
Tamil poet, novelist and celebrated lyricist R. Vairamuthu has received the 60th Jnanpith Award for 2025, one of India’s most prestigious literary honours. Presented in recognition of his contribution to Indian literature, the award makes him the third Tamil-language writer to receive the distinction. Vairamuthu dedicated the honour to the Tamil community and described it as an award for every Tamil home.
MPs Call for a National Decade of Reading
A UK parliamentary committee has proposed extending the National Year of Reading into a full decade. Its recommendations include a library in every secondary school, library cards from birth, and greater emphasis on helping children read for pleasure.
A New Route for Arabic Books in Translation
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s Translation Grant is offering international publishers up to US$19,000 per title to translate, publish, and promote selected Arabic literary and children’s books. Since 2018, the programme has helped 54 works reach readers in other languages.
