Herald
7 July 2010
Herald Reporter
THIS month marks the return of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair to its status as Africa’s premier book showcase following a resolution by stakeholders to bring back the event’s lustre.
Addressing a Press conference at their offices in Harare, ZIBF Association acting executive director Mr Greenfiled Chilongo said the fair, which will run from July 26-31, had lost some ground in the past few years as a result of the downturn in Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes.
He, however, noted that this year’s Book Fair, running under the theme “Promoting Cross-Cultural Dialogue”, will witness a significant return by international participants.
“The new thing that will be in this year’s fair that was missing in the Book Fair of recent years was significant international participation.
“This year, we will have participants from Ghana, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria and Norway.
“Another activity that has returned, albeit at a smaller scale initially, is the Rights Exchange and Publishers’ Workshop that will be run by Apnet — the African Publishers Network,” Mr Chilongo said.
A writers’ workshop jointly sponsored by the British Council and the Zimbabwe-German Society is also making a welcome return to the book fair.
Mr Chilongo added that publishers had already taken up their traditional stands in the gazebos although the demand for space was high.
The Children’s Reading Tent is likely to be a hive of activity, with special readers sponsored by the Czech Republic, Unicef and Save the Children competing to entertain and stimulate young minds at the book fair.
Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart is expected to open this year’s Indaba.
Mrs Angeline Kamba, who has represented Zimbabwe on several cultural commissions at the United Nations, is billed to be the keynote speaker.
Other presentations will come from Ms Sara Moyo, whose paper “Unlocking the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries”, will look at how developing countries can realise economic value from their creative talent.
Mr Fred Gweme of SIRDC will present on “Cultural Challenges to Achieving Millennium Development Goals” while Reuben Chirambo from Malawi will present on “Transitions, Literature and Reconstructed Nationalist Memories”.
The main sponsors of this year’s book fair are the Culture Fund and Kopinor, a Norwegian organisation.