daniel chigunwe
Mangaliso Kabulika
ESSENTIAL Book Writers Association (EBWA) is set to host the third edition of the Great-Get-Together book launch on Friday.
The aim of the event is to celebrate local literature, particularly from emerging writers as well as to encourage the reading culture among locals.
More than 20 writers are set to launch their books on the day.
The event will have a line-up of spoken word, readings, book exchange, displays and sales.
Award-winning authors such as Tinashe Muchuri, Biggie Chiranga, Oscar Gwiriri and Beaven Tapureta are also set to grace the event.
EBWA chairperson, Aleck Kaposa, said:
“Musicians have their own festivals and back then there used to be book festivals such as the Zimbabwe International Book Fair but they have ceased to exist.
“This event is a revival of book festivals and it’s our own ‘Christmas’ as writers.
“If we stop writing and reading, books disappear, we kill telling our story as a country. We need to keep the literature alive.
“The Zimbabwean book market is depressed but there are people out there who still support our local writers and invest in buying hardcopy books.”
He added:
“Many writers survive on selling their books on their own as they carry them in their bags or through personal contacts.
“It is also impressive that we’re seeing a significant number of young readers prefering hardcopies regardless of the digital migration to e-books, which ensures the survival of our literature.
“Everyone with an interest in writing and publishing must attend as we celebrate our local literature.”
Online Reporter