Heaven for book lovers
It was a good start for the Malta Book Fair, which attracted hundreds of schoolchildren on its opening day, yesterday.
Filling the main hall of the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta to capacity, the participants, which exceed 30, vary from publishers to retailers, from NGOs to antiquarian book sellers.
A large number of new books are expected to be launched during the fair that ends on Sunday.
National Book Council chairman, Ġorġ Mallia, said the event normally drew about 17,000 visitors every year.
He described the fair as a dynamic space where the Maltese could discuss books, see what was on offer and stock up for months of reading. The fair also gave space to participants to hold book-related events.
A number of activities are planned be held at the MCC’s Sir Temi Zammit Hall. These include an interview with author Immanuel Mifsud, winner of the EU Literary Prize, a humorous evening with author Trevor Żahra, entitled Storja Vittorja, and Tsek-Tsik, organised by Merlin Publishers.
Book presentations will be held by, among others, Edward Clemmer, Alfred Sant, Michael Refalo and President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami.
Children’s author Marcus Sedgwick will meet the public on Sunday.
The activities will be rounded off by a repeat of the dramatisation of Dun Karm’s Il-Jien u lil Hinn Minnu by Josette Ciappara.
A number of exhibitions mounted by the Libraries Department are also being held at the fair, including one about Dun Karm Psaila on the 50th anniversary of his death.
The fair, organised by the National Book Council in collaboration with the Department of Libraries, is open today from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 5 to 9 pm, tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4 to10 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entrance is free.
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Steve Sant
Nov 13th 2011, 18:53
I'm sorry but when I went during the week we were told it was from 5pm to 9pm and only on Saturday and Sunday from the morning. Was that done purposely, in fact my children were very annoyed and we were a group of 30 waiting to go inside, but were told it wasn't open by the person inside.
Morana Axisa
Nov 10th 2011, 16:39
'attracted hundreds of schoolchildren '?? Schools organise the outing and ask children whether they prefer the classroom to it. OF COURSE they choose the outing! I went to the bookfair yesterday, and to be honest, like last year's event, it was another big disappointment. Ever since the bookfair started taking place at MCC instead of the usual Ta Qali fair grounds, many book suppliers and publishers stopped attending altogather, due to the higher fees involved in having a stand.
The books consist mainly of children's books (meaning children below 14), books in Maltese and religious books. This is all very well for children and those who like these kind of books, however it's a very poor scenario for those adults with high expectations about finding something decent with which to pass the time and enrich their cultural portfolio! I've been going to the book fair for the past 15 years and I'm sorry to say that these past two years were absymal. I truly hope the situation is remedied before newer generations forget reading altogather and concetrate instead solely on T.V and videogames!!