Zimbabwe book fair hopes to regain premier status

Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2004 is hoping to regain its status as Africa’s biggest, and most prestigious book fair, despite the any improvement in the country’s poltical and economic environment.

By the end of January, 46 stands had already been booked by 13 exhibitors, seven months before the fair, which takes place between 31 July and 8 August 2004. The fair has more than 300 stands which are usually taken closer to the fair.

"This unprecedented development is particularly important as it signifies restored confidence in not only ZIBF but in Zimbabweans as a whole," said ZIBF executive director, Samuel Matsangaise. He also attributed this to discounts offered to those who booked stands early.

Those exhibitors who have already made bookings include the African Publishers Network, based in Cote d’Ivoire, the Council for Development of Social Science Research in Africa, based in Senegal, and the Czech Republic. Local exhibitors who have booked include College Press Publishers, the University of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Human Rights, a non-governmental organisation.

ZIBF has been recovering from poor attendance which followed from Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis the country is enduring. In 2002, the fair only attracted 70 exhibitors. However, last year, there were more than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries.

"We are expecting a particularly large turnout from the United States, Europe and the Carribean as our area of focus this year is the diaspora," said Matsangaise. The Indaba, an international conference to discuss and debate issues on African literature that takes place during the fair, is also expected to draw many visitors with its theme "African Studies In and Outside Africa."

The ZIBF theme for 2004 is Voices: Dialogue Across Nations.

For more information visit the ZIBF website, click here.