International Collectives at Fair

Walking through the aisles of an international book fair is like taking a whirlwind literary tour of the world. And at this year's Cape Town Book Fair (CTBF), visitors will be met by a stronger international presence than ever before, coupled with a particularly impressive round-up of African publishing houses, making it the entry point for the world into the African book trade.  

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to meander through the bustling stands, talking to authors and enjoying literary sessions in an atmosphere dedicated to enhancing the culture of reading and celebrating the written word.

You may bump into the likes of Jodie Picoult or Archbishop Desmond Tutu, or encounter a printer from China, an illustrator from America or an editor from Senegal. There'll be professionals from foreign multi-national publishing houses as well as one-man bands, specialising in a myriad of book trades from book-binding antique scripts to specialised electronic distribution technologies.

With one month to go before the doors open to the trade on 30 July, powerful publishing corporates from India, Korea, Germany and the UK are gearing up alongside smaller fringe exhibitors from countries as diverse as Spain, Ghana, Ireland and Kenya, making it the largest book fair in sub-Saharan Africa with over 220 exhibitors from 31 countries.

According to the CTBF's Director, Claudia Kaiser, there'll be a mix of international and local publishers side-by-side.  "It makes for great exchange as it has a global village feel, which so characterises international gatherings like these where one feels like you've had a tour of the world in one room," said Kaiser.

One of this year's heavyweight trade exhibitors is a large Arab group representing a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), an organisation which promotes Emirati culture and heritage. As first-time visitors to the CTBF, ADACH have booked the largest stand (120 square meters) at the fair.

"We plan to use the CTBF as a platform to pursue networking opportunities in buying and selling book rights as well as to promote our Abu Dhabi International Book Fair," said Juma Al Qubaisi, head of the Abu Dhabi delegation.

"We're hoping to introduce ADACH to a new market and to promote our portfolio of book initiatives which will be on show in our corporate stand," explained Al Qubaisi.

Also attending will be delegates from China, Korea and India. Akshay Pathak from the German Book Office in New Delhi has organised a collective of 16 Indian publishers to attend the fair.

"We're excited because it's an unexplored market. We want to increase our exchange between South African publishers as well as other internationals who'll be attending," said Pathak.

Since the gearing-up of the professional element to the trade side of the fair, the CTBF is now seen as an attractive global event for publishers.

"Because the CTBF is not as huge as the Frankfurt and London fairs are, it is possible our participants may have a greater opportunity to spend more focussed time with key players whom they might not have had access to at the larger fairs. If it works, we will look at a bigger participation next year," said Pathak.

Gathering clients to attend the fair in a market where the book industry has been hit hard by the financial crisis has been no easy task.

"Having the Frankfurt Book Fair as partners has enabled us to reach a wide network of industry players," explained Kaiser, who also holds the position of Vice President of Business Development at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

"But nevertheless, the industry has faced difficult times recently and we've had to work hard to convince many interested parties that attending the CTBF is a valuable excercise where their needs will be met," said Kaiser.

Collaborating with cultural institutions like the British Council and the Goethe-Institut has enabled the CTBF to tap into useful resources to help build the profile of ‘a fair for Africa. For example, the Goethe-Institut, a German cultural exchange institution has made it possible through a grant of almost R200 000 for 12 African publishers from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe to attend the fair.

According to Ulla Wester, head of library and information services at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg, "There are many interesting publications in Africa but distribution remains a problem. Many African publishers have limited means and so by assisting them in coming to the fair, we're able to help provide them with business opportunities and a platform to showcase their talent to an international audience. The world is a global world and we cannot stay in our smallness. People think differently and so when we come together and exchange ideas, something new is created, which is energising," said Wester.

The CTBF promises to be Africa's premier destination for book-lovers, both those who create and sell them, and those who buy them. As Dr Seuss, the famous children's author once said: "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you'll go."

Indeed, if reading and books is your pleasure or your business, the CTBF is where you want to be.

Issued on behalf of the Cape Town Book Fair by HWB Communications

For queries contact:

Claudia Kaiser

Director Cape Town Book Fair

Email: Claudia@capetownbookfair.co.za

Sadika Ahmed

Sales and Exhibition Manager Cape Town Book Fair

Email: ahmeds@capetownbookfair.co.za

Telephone: +27 21 418 5493

Jennifer Crocker

HWB Communications

Email: Jennifer@hwb.co.za

Telephone: +27 21 462 0416