Senator Delano Franklyn (standing), declares the Jamaican theme pavilion open. -Barbara Ellington photo
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
THE ANNUAL Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF), came to a successful conclusion in Harare, Zimbabwe on Saturday August 7.
This year's theme was 'Voices Dialogue Across Nations' and delegations from the United Kingdom, India, Ghana, Barbados, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany, Nigeria, the United States, Sweden, Belgium, Guyana, Norway, Kenya, Jamaica and other parts of the world were in attendance.
The events for the week-long fair fell into two categories a conference of workshops and seminars held mainly in the Crowne Plaza Hotel and a showcase of books and other literary works in the theme pavilion at the Harare Gardens nearby.
THEME PAVILION
The theme pavilion was officially opened by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Delano Franklyn, who was also the main speaker at the official opening of the conference.
The exhibitors included Head Start, Ian Randle Publishers, LMH Publishers, the Jamaica Library Service and products from Red Stripe, Appleton Rum, The Gleaner Company, Walkerswood, Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee, Joanne Simpson, CDs by dub poet Mutaburuka and the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
Mr. Franklyn said he was happy that the focus of the ZIBF was on Africans living outside the continent and congratulated the organizers on the success of the variety of stalls, the opportunities for networking and the high quality of the exhibits.
"The Caribbean is the only region in the world without an international book fair and I hope that this one will stimulate us to have one at home and I am prepared to do what I can to facilitate the process," Mr. Franklyn said.
He observed that book fairs were only relevant to those who could read and encouraged his audience to do all they could to ensure that the peoples of the world were educated.
SPECIAL PLACE
He told Zimbabweans that the Caribbean region was moving towards the establishment of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) as well as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ): "We are creating more of our own institutions so that we can all move in the same direction as a region."
Visitors to the pavilion returned for seconds of coconut drops, gizzadas, banana chips and Excelsior crackers with Solomon Gundy spread.
Jamaica holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Zimbabwe who remain grateful for the efforts of this country to secure freedom and independence for some Africans.
Mutabaruka is idolised and he was the toast of the print and electronic media while at the ZIBF. He gave two performances of his controversial dub poetry.
Although they appreciated all the samples of Jamaican products that the delegation gave them, there were scores of requests for CDs by popular deejays.
