Herald
2 June 2011
THIS year’s Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF) has been set for July 25 to 30, 2011. According to ZIBF acting executive director Dr Xavier Carelse, preparations are at an advanced stage for the week-long literary showcase.
The annual event, which was launched in 1983, will be held under the theme “Books for Africa’s Development”, which is generally meant to emphasise the impact of technology on writers.
“The first two days will be dedicated to six indabas at which 18 local and international speakers will address the gathering,” Dr Carelse said.
He said international participation was expected to be higher this year, especially in light of the fact that the Cape Town Book Fair will not take place.
“The Cape Town Book Fair normally runs in close proximity to our own and this year we have been trying to convince those who normally showcase there to use the ZIBF instead,” he said.
Professor Helge Ronning, who comes from Norway and is an alumnus of the University of Zimbabwe, will deliver the keynote address.
The official opening will be conducted by Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart.
Local author Memory Chirere expressed hope that this year’s fair organisers would make an attempt to include local writers who have been conspicuous by their absence in past editions of the fair.
Zimbabwe has many authors who have won international acclaim including but not limited to Shimmer Chinodya, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Charles Mungoshi, Chenjerayi Hove, Pettinah Gapa and the late Yvonne Vera.
Dr Carelse said that children and youths will be catered for with the with the Young Persons Indaba on July 27 with the traditional Live Literature Tent also running.
Events line up include workshops on various literary aspects like writing short stories, poetry, textbook writing and film-making.
Dr Carelse said ZIBF has managed to overcome the challenges of the past few years in which the world recession has affected the donor community resulting in some traditional partners moving out.
“I am happy to announce that some of our traditional sponsors have returned to the fair this year and most of them have pledged even bigger support for the event next year,” he stated.
Traditionally, the event is supported by various embassies and international agencies operating in the country.
The Culture Fund Trust, a local organisation that supports the arts, is also a supporting partner.
On another note, the Zimbabwe Writers’ Association is inviting all Zimbabwean writers to their annual general meeting to be held tomorrow at the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa along Mazowe Street between Parirenyatwa Hospital and the South African Embassy at 8:30am.
ZWA’s membership is open to all writers in Zimbabwe and one of their aims is to bring together all willing writers of Zimbabwe in order to encourage creative writing, reading and publishing in all forms possible, conduct workshops and provide for literary discussions.