Enter the hallowed portals of int'l Book Fair

by Sajitha PREMATUNGE

The International Book Fair is not for bookworms alone, everybody is welcome. For nine whole days over 60,000 square feet of the BMICH have turned into one huge bookshop. It is not merely a place where you could browse and buy books. It's a place where you can interact, meet and speak to publishers as well as writers and readers. Rather than a fair it takes on the form of a huge festival.

"We are expecting a 25 p.c to 30 p.c. increase in the turnout this year" says Samayawardhana Publications and president of Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, Ariyadasa Weeraman. The fair was open to the public after the opening ceremony yesterday. This year's International Book Fair at the BMICH will be the first in a liberated Sri Lanka and many publishers expect a large turnout.

The fair will have more than 400 stalls, local as well as publishers from countries such as India, Malaysia, Thailand and Pakistan. Ariyadasa Weeraman said there are many book launches, educational and entertainment programs - with the collaboration of the Tower Hall Foundation - in store for those who visit this year's fair. "We ask all to come," said Ariyadasa Weeraman, "because all the publishers will exhibit their best and rare books here." In short, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Athula Jayakody of Sooriya Publishers said as any other year they also expect a large turnout. They will showcase ten new books - in three stalls - including three State Literary Award winning books for Best Translation and Best Science Fiction. "Our main objective is to provide quality reading material and an opportunity to intelligent readers," says Athula Jayakody.

Vijitha Yapa, Chairman, Vijitha Yapa Publishers said because of the President's enthusiasm on education and his aim to make a literate Sri Lanka in the coming decade, a greater emphasis will be paid to gaining knowledge.

"Such exhibitions are important to making this a reality." Vijitha Yapa Publishers will have a staggering 14 stalls, including their foreign stalls.Vijitha Yapa further explained that visitors can not only browse through books at ease, but also compare books of all subjects, publishers and authors while also making use of attractive discounts. "Come as early as possible and get the best bargains." Vijitha Yapa will launch a new school altas in Sinhala and eight new books.

"The Colombo International Book Exhibition is considered as the forerunner of such exhibitions in South Asia," said Vijitha Yapa. He was positive about the potential turn out and predicted that over a million people will turn up with the extended half hour from 9.30 am to 9 pm.

Dayawansa Jayakody will also have three stalls to showcase their books.

"Last year parking inside the vicinity was prohibited. It was a huge disadvantage. This year parking inside the BMICH will be allowed," said Dayawansa Jayakody, Managing Director, Dayawansa Jayakody Publishers. They are expecting a turnout twice as much as that of last year. They will also launch seven new books during this year's book fair, including a reprint of 'Helabima' newspaper. Other award-winning authors such as Somaweera Senanayake, Damayanthi Jayakody, Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Jayakody Seneviratne, Raja Karunadasa and many others will be showcased on consecutive days during the book fair.

And what's more, fans can meet and have a chat with the authors on the respective days. In fact, this is one of Dayawansa Jayakody's objectives in participating in the International Book Fair. "It's true that books are sold to make money. But what I like best is meeting and mingling with book lovers," he said.

He said the experience is much different from walking into a bookshop. Completely different groups of people will come here every year.

"Expatriates spend fortunes to come down just to attend this book fair." Dayawansa Jayakody who has taken part in many international book fairs abroad says this is much different from its international counterparts, where only rights are sold.

This will not be another boring book exhibition. Vijitha Yapa said with performances by schoolchildren, professional artistes, art competitions and live telecasts, this years book fair will be unprecedented. Dayawansa Jayakody expects a large number of people to come to the book fair. "The experience is so good that it's like going on a picnic. Even if you don't buy even a single book, the experience is still worth it and your presence is appreciated."

This year's International Book Fair is expected to be a huge success for book publishers and readers as well.