AFRICA AT THE FAIR

How can Literary Festivals and Book Fairs promote African Books and Reading?

A Seminar at the London Book Fair 2004, Olympia Exhibition Centre, London W14

on Monday 15 March, 3.30pm-6pm in the International Welcome Point, Grand Hall, Olympia followed by the launch of Reading Africa

Read Africa at the Fair seminar report

Contributors include:
MARGARET BUSBY, writer, broadcaster, editor and publisher
BIRGITTA JACOBSSON EKBLOM, public relations manager, Gothenburg Book Fair
PETER FLORENCE, director, Hay Festival of Literature
DANA KALINOVA, managing director of Bookworld Prague
SAM MATSANGAISE, director, Zimbabwe International Book Fair
ADAM PUSHKIN, Cheltenham Festival of Literature
JUNE TURNER, co-organiser, Essex Book Festival

Africa at the Fair will explore how the quality and diversity of African books and writing can enrich the programmes of book fairs and literary festivals. Our speakers have a wide range of experience of bringing Africa to popular audiences at book fairs and festivals in Europe and Africa - as book fair or festival organisers, as publicists, publishers, booksellers, or as writers themselves. Their common concern is more exposure for African books and writers in the UK and Europe, and in the intra-African book market, increasing awareness, readership and sales.

Outline programme:

3.30-3.45 Introduction and welcome
3.45-4.30 Chatshow - UK literary festival directors
4.30-4.45 Break
4.45-5.30 Presentations - international book fair directors
5.30-6.00 Discussion
6.30-8.00 Launch of Reading Africa

Africa at the Fair is part of Reading Africa, a nationwide initiative by SABDET to raise awareness in the UK of African writing and publishing and to promote reading of African books. A promotional campaign aimed at librarians and reading groups and designed to encourage public library users to read African writers is a central part of the programme. Reading Africa is inspired by the Zimbabwe International Book Fair's Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century. It is supported by the Arts Council of England and SABDET's partners in developing the programme are the British Council and Book Aid International. Reading Africa will be officially launched at LBF2004 at the end of the seminar.

Africa at the Fair is free of charge to LBF04 participants. Librarians, reading promoters, educators and all interested visitors and exhibitors are warmly invited to attend. Please register your interest by emailing Margaret Ling of SABDET, margaret.ling@geo2.poptel.org.uk or phone +44 (0)20 8348 8463.

To register as a visitor to the London Book Fair, go to
http://www.lbf-virtual.com/page.cfm