By Kudzayi Zvinavashe
Another edition of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF) which is billed to kick off on the 27th of July till the 1st of August, this year is expected to be bigger and better with an attendance of over 10 000 attendants and 120 exhibitors which includes 15 international exhibitors.
The minister of education Olivia Muchena is expected to be the guest of honour at the opening of the fair which will be running under the title Growing the Knowledge Economy through Research, Writing, Publishing and Reading.
Stakeholders expressed gratitude towards Culture Fund and Hivos who played a pivotal role bankrolling the Book Fair.
Zimbabwe International Book Fair Association (ZIFBA), executive board chairman, Obey Bvute said, “the development of a knowledge based economy is centrally linked to Globalization”.
He emphasized on the need for ZIBFA to create new strategic vision and plan based on education being the core driver of economic growth and development, the need of avenues that promote innovation and creativity among other needs.
The coming edition of ZIBF will drive home the need for writers for with technology in a changing world, and also taking a strong stance against piracy with an active focus on anti-piracy to promote the welfare and intellectual property rights of writers and publishers.
Bvute added that, “ZIBFA will also foster new ways for content creation and publication, help to develop alternative distribution models that broaden access, reduce costs, and enable open sharing of content”.
Some of the things to look out for at the forth coming edition is, the junior achievers competition, the teachers square, the book voucher purchase scheme, school prizes and a poetry slam where renowned poets will participate.
The fair is being hosted at the same venue as previous year in Harare Gardens and entry remains free to the general public.