Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE 2025 Zimbabwe Book Fair (ZIBF) kicks off tomorrow in Harare Gardens, with the Children’s Tent already set up.
This popular literary arts festival, renowned for nurturing new writers, storytellers and publishers, last took place at its traditional venue before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the pandemic, the fair faced financial constraints that nearly hindered its return.
As a precursor to this main event, two successful mini-book fairs were held in Bulawayo and Harare early this year.
The main event runs under the theme “Page by Page: The Book Returns” and ends Friday.
In an interview, the curator of the 2025 ZIBF, Dr Samuel Makore, told the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that everything was in place.
“The event starts on Thursday at around 9 pm, with the Children’s Tent already set up,” shared the curator.
“We expect guests to begin arriving early, and publishers are also anticipated to meet with authors. Everything is well organised, and we urge people to come out in large numbers. All the logistics are complete, with several exhibitors already having taken their stands.”
Dr Makore, whose board has been advocating for a reading culture and embracing the technological revolution in this new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), assured writers that they will leave the two-day event well-equipped.
“We are also expecting some works and an opportunity for attendees to interact at this year’s edition.”
Last week, Dr Makore enlightened both old and new book fair attendees about the meaning of this year’s theme, which marks the return of the book fair.
“The theme focuses on the revival of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, which had gone dormant due to financial constraints impacting the Secretariat’s performance. We are proclaiming ‘Page by Page: The Book Returns’ strongly, emphasising the need to counter challenges from television, computers, and various electronic devices that attract our readers. We want people to return to reading books, whether physical or digital,” he stated.
Dr Makore also lamented the lack of a reading culture, which he believes will be addressed at this year’s ZIBF.
“We want to encourage people to read and write books. Our target audience includes publishers, booksellers, authors, illustrators, schoolchildren, scriptwriters, and many others, including parents. We aim to bring books back into homes and promote creativity among our people.”
After the announcement regarding the upcoming 2025 ZIBF, excitement has gripped the literary sector, which has been flourishing despite financial constraints hindering its potential.
ZIBF board chairman Memory Chirere and his team have been working diligently to revive the sector, often overlooked by policymakers.
Over the years, it has been noted that other art forms, such as music and dance, have received substantial funding, while literary and visual arts have been neglected.
Chirere and his board have been advocating for proper funding for the sector, allowing Zimbabwean stories to be told by its citizens without bias or favoritism.
The two-day event is expected to greatly enhance the visibility of new talent from grassroots levels to the top.
With school participation being one of the major highlights of the event, ZIBF 2025 is not only providing exposure to young minds but also promoting a reading culture that has been fading in recent years.
The hosts have assured attendees of engaging activities, insightful discussions, and meaningful connections that promise to leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape.
These synergies and collaborations are critical in promoting the book industry, which has the potential to empower creatives.
Despite numerous challenges, ZIBF remains a premier literary event, bringing together book lovers, authors, publishers and industry professionals from across the globe.
As has become the norm, the ZIBF, following major roadshows and campaigns in other cities, will significantly boost the sector, which requires substantial funding to thrive.
Repeated appeals have been made to arts regulatory leaders and the government to prioritize the literary arts sector, which has been neglected over the years.
It’s a sector where talent has often gone unnoticed, and those with published works lament the lack of royalties.
Some of the major partners in the event include the Zimbabwe Book Publishers Association, Caleb Mucheche & Partners Law Chambers, the Book Association of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Library Association, and the government.
