The Sunday Mail
The traditional “book” has not been spared the technological changes that have seen its form takes various forms, from the e-book, CD to even photocopy.
Cognisant of these changes, the organisers of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, Africa’s premier book event, are moving with the times to ensure that the “book” in all its aspects is exhibited at the fair, slated for end of July.
Said Obey Bvute, the chairman of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair Africa Association (ZIBFA) executive board: “We are aware that the book, in its natural and traditional sense, is no longer the same but whatever form it takes, it is still a book. So during the forthcoming Book Fair, we are going to be showcasing the book in all its forms. We cannot deny or delay technology, we just have to embrace it.”
The advent of smart devices has seen the coming of the e-book, with some available as free downloads, whereas others are for a fee. “Though we applaud the coming on board of technology to give us the various forms of the book that we have today, the truth is the traditional book has some values that you cannot take away. For instance, it is not easy to read a book on a laptop or your phone for two hours, what with the distractions attendant with such devices, but with the old form of the book, one can read for hours on end.”
This year’s Book Fair, which will run from July 29 till August 2, will run under the theme, Growing the Knowledge Economy Through Research, Writing, Publishing and Reading. “The evolution of the traditional book is a challenge not only to publishers but authors, retailers and readers and to this end, the Book Fair will tackle the issue of the ever-changing form of the book, the challenges that this evolution entails, and the possible solutions to these challenges,” Bvute said.
“And in view of its ever-changing format, we have designed this year’s Book Fair to be as dynamic as the book. We are coming up with a Book Fair that will be engrossing to the young reader as much as it will be stimulating to the publisher and/or exhibitor,” he added.
Started in 1983, the Zimbabwe International Book Fair has over the years been Africa’s premier book fair, though challenges, ranging from the political to economic, has somehow affected its stature along the years.
“The glory days of the Fair are back and we cannot continue living in the past, we need to work out our tomorrow and that time is now.
“Patriotism is not defined just by our continued presence in the country but it should be buttressed by our collective efforts, hence this need to take the Book Fair back to the heights of global book publishing.”
