South Africa's cultural showcase
The first Cape Town Book Fair (CTBF) has a growing appeal to publishers, sales departments, retail booksellers, printers, papermakers and other businesses in the sector. This joint venture between the South African publishers association and the Frankfurt Book Fair is to be held in Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from June 17 to 20, 2006.At least half the planned exhibition space is already booked. "Currently we have exhibitors from several African countries, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America", says book fair boss Vanessa Badroodien. In addition to a literature festival, the book fair also provides an extensive programme for trade visitors and exhibitors. "We are working with partners from Africa, Europe, and North America," Badroodien adds.
The CTBF boss is particularly interested in making the fair a permanent fixture in Africa: "Book fairs are a major cultural showcase and we are certainly in a unique position to present the cultural diversity of Africa with the event in Cape Town."
The publishing sector also benefits: "Only by constantly expanding the readership and therefore the book market, can publishers produce books in sufficient quantities and affordable for the majority of the population here."
m+a report Nr.7 / 2005 vom 27.10.2005
m+a report vom 27. Oktober 2005