Book Fairs Around the World – II (April-July 2011)
If you’re interested in participating in important book fairs around the world, it’s helpful to know the schedule of fairs. Here’s our final listing of international book fairs planned from August to December 2011.
- Bogotá International Book Fair, Bogotá, Colombia: 4—16 May 2011
This is said to be the largest and most important cultural and industrial event in the Latin American region. Started in 1988, the fair sees visitors and participants from the Andean region, Central America, the Caribbean region and the United States. Last year, there were 90 exhibitors and 4,00,000 visitors. The fair is open to trade visitors as well as the general public. Website: http://www.feriadellibro.com (in Spanish, no English option available)
- Beijing International Book Fair, Beijing, China: 31 August—4 September 2011
Started in 1986, the principle of the Beijing International Book Fair is to introduce “excellent books from around the world into China and leading Chinese books to the world”. The previous event was held in an area spread across 43,000 square metres and had 1840 exhibitors. This year, its 18th event will be held in a new venue, China International Exhibition, which is said to be more advanced, modern and user-friendly and covers 53,600 square meters. The Netherlands will be the Country of Honour. The fair is open to trade visitors and the general public. Website: http://www.bibf.net
- Rio de Janeiro International Book Fair, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 1—11 September 2011
The Rio de Janeiro International Book Fair, called Bienal Do Livero Rio in Spanish, is the most important literary event in Brazil. It is held every alternate year, so the 28-year-old fair will hold its 15th event this year. The venue is the huge Riocentro, with a total floor area of 5,71,000 square metres. There are several regular events. ‘Literary Café’ conducts informal and intimate chats with international as well as Brazilian authors, where they discuss the creative process, ideas, books, genres and more. In ‘Books on the Scene,’ famous people from cinema, theatre and television are invited to read selected excerpts from the works of important Brazilian writers. The ‘Book Forest’ is set up in an imaginative setting that covers 800 square metres and offers children the opportunity of being immersed and transported by books and narratives. Another interesting and unique section is called ‘Women Only,’ where women writers, journalists and literary celebrities gather to discuss a wide variety of topics (new topics each day) from the female perspective. Unlike many other book fairs, which are formal, the Rio de Janeiro International Book Fair exudes a warm, lively and cheerful atmosphere. It is open to trade as well as the general public. Website: http://www.bienaldolivro.com.br/
- Göteborg Book Fair, Göteborg, Sweden: 22—25 September 2011
The Göteborg Book Fair is said to be the biggest meeting place for the book trade in the Nordic countries. This 27th edition of the fair will be held at the Swedish Exhibition Centre with a total exhibition area of 13,257 square metres. The German language, with countries Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will be in focus. Thirty authors have been invited to participate in seminars and other programmes related to the German language theme, including Nobel Prize winner Herta Müller, Felicitas Hoppe, award-winning member of the German Academy for Language and Literature, and Austrian Doron Rabinovici. The fair will conduct activities in three sections simultaneously: a programme of seminars and events, numerous exhibition halls with related activities and special stages, and the International Rights Centre for professionals buying and selling rights. Last year, the fair saw 97,053 visitors. There were 920 exhibitors and 441 seminars. The balance is 30% trade and 70% general public. Website: http://www.bok-bibliotek.se/en/
- Nairobi International Book Fair, Nairobi, Kenya: 28 September—2 October 2011
The 14th Nairobi International Book Fair, organized by the Kenya Publishers Association, will be held at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme for the fair this year is ‘Read for Empowerment’. The website explains the theme thus: “Books, whether creative works or factual texts, serve as a reflection of the society from which the writers are drawn. It is therefore our duty to ensure that society is able to communicate effectively on issues that confront it and do so through books.” The Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature Award will be presented at the fair. Workshops and seminars are planned, as are activities for children and new writers. There will be a big book sale with heavy discounts. The fair will showcase books in various genres in their book exhibition and is open to the general public as well as to trade visitors. Website: http://www.kenyapublishers.org/nairobi_bookfair.html
- LIBER Madrid International Book Fair, Madrid, Spain: 5—7 October 2011
LIBER is said to be the leading professional event of the publishing industry in Spain and Latin America and one of the most important in the world. Started in 1983, the fair is held every year, in Madrid and Barcelona alternately, so the 2010 LIBER was in Barcelona and the previous LIBER Madrid was in 2009. The Reading Promotion Awards, given to the communications media in the categories of Radio, Television and Press, is “the Liber Tribute to an institution or person in recognition of their work in favour of books”. The other awards given during the fair are the Boixareu Ginesta Award to the bookseller of the year and the Award for Promoting Reading in Public Libraries. The fair is open to trade visitors only. In 2009, there were 257 exhibitors and 20,325 visitors. The 2010 edition saw about 15,000 business visitors. Website: http://www.ifema.es/web/ferias/liber/default.html
- Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt, Germany: 12—16 October 2011
The Frankfurt Book Fair, held annually in October, is the most important marketplace for books, media, rights and licences worldwide. The history of the fair dates back to the 15th century. Every year the fair sees about 7,300 exhibitors from 100 countries, and 2,99,000 visitors. The guest of honour this year is Iceland. Frankfurt SPARKS is a new section that focuses on digital publishing and looks at the union of publishing with technology and the associated opportunities, partnerships and ideas. In the outdoor area is the traditional Spiegel marquee, where readers get to spend some time with their favourite authors through readings and book signings. Apart from all the offerings at the indoor fair, the 30-year-old Art & Creativity Market outside offers visitors handicraft products like jewellery, leather goods and books made of stone from about 100 stands. The Frankfurt Book Fair is open to trade visitors as well as the general public. Website: http://www.buchmesse.de/en/fbf/
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