Online Reporter
Online Reporter
Bulawayo is set to host this year’s Zimbabwe International Book Fair at the Bulawayo City Hall from 31 July to 1 August.
Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBFA) executive board chairman, Mr Memory Chirere, said the fair will run under the theme, “Reconnect Book Festival 2025”. The Harare edition was held on 30 May and 31 May.
“This intimate gathering aims to reignite partnerships with local and international stakeholders, laying the groundwork for ZIBF’s return as a cornerstone of Africa’s literary and cultural landscape.
“As you will witness, attendees will participate in book exhibitions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to shape the future of the fair and address evolving challenges in the book industry.
“We all know that at ZIBFA, we have had many financial and structural challenges since our last full book fair in 2020. Notwithstanding, many changes have taken place here and across the world, in the manner in which we write, in the manner in which we read and sell books, even the definition of what a book is has become more complicated,” he said.
Mr Chirere said there was a need to reconstitute and revive the ZIBFA.
“As ZIBFA, we are reconnecting with our valuable base to find especially new ideas, new methods of resuscitating our book fair and the book sector in Zimbabwe. From there on, substantive strides in the actual restructuring of the fair will be made. During this mini book festival, just as we did in Harare in May, ZIBFA office will receive stakeholders’ ideas on how the fair could be reignited.”
The ZIBF is a prominent cultural event and one of Africa’s leading book and publishing trade fairs. It serves as a platform for showcasing books, magazines, journals, and other media, as well as printing and publishing technology. The fair also hosts workshops, discussions, and exhibitions, fostering a vibrant literary community and supporting young writers and performers
Established in 1983, ZIBFA has become a significant event in Africa, attracting publishers, authors, scholars, and readers from around the globe. It has been recognised for its role in promoting African literature and cultural exchange, earning the Principal Award from the Prince Claus Fund in 1997.
