ERITREA'S BOOK FAIR - CULTIVATING A READING CULTURE

When the Second National Book Fair ended on 6 May after four days, the organisers were delighted to report a marked increase in the number of visitors. Ibrahim Mohammed, President of the Library and Information Association of Eritrea (LIAE) noted that there were 10,000 more visitors than last year. A total of more than 20,000 people visited the book fair, which is now established as one of Eritrea’s most important cultural events.

Organized by the LIAE, in cooperation with publishers, printers, book sellers and writers, the book fair’s aim is "promoting a reading culture in Eritrea", Mohammed explained. The event featured several stands at which publishing companies, book sellers, printers, writers and schools showed their titles. Also among their displays were magazines, periodicals, and posters on various subjects. Alliance Française and the British Council were also present, together with a United Nations stand with information about the Organisation’s different agencies including UNMEE. The UNMEE stand, organized by the Public Information Section, attracted a great deal of interest.

"We encourage people to read. We want to develop a reading society, primarily through the creation of libraries and bookstores. We submitted proposals to establish small libraries in areas like Tserona, Barentu, and Senafe." Mohammed also invited UNMEE to assist in the construction of libraries in Tserona and Senafe.

Alganesh, another member of the book fair’s organizing committee, who opened a library inside the bookshop she owns said: "People are not economically ready. Before the opening of the library, students would come to the bookshop and start copying information they needed from books. Books were obviously too expensive for them." She explained that the library now gives students a chance to consult books without having to buy them. In addition, Alganesh also published a pamphlet on the English alphabet. "Some NGOs, including Dutch International Aid and Mercy Corps International, sponsored this project" she explained. She said that her aim was to work with these NGOs so that when they go to the field they can distribute the pamphlets free of charge.

At the book fair, the display of children’s and teenage books was particularly popular with the public. "Storytelling is essential to encourage children to read" said Mohammed. "Reading starts from early childhood and people should encourage them to read and write from the early stages. Storytelling connects the kids with the adults. It is from storytelling that kids can learn patience and listening," he concluded.

This year too, some Eritrean authors were at the book fair with their own individual presentations, among them Mellese Woldeselassie, Habteab Weldemenkemos, Abba Isaak, and Uqbamicael Habtemariam.

One of this year’s highlights was the workshop held on the last day of the book fair on different topics pertaining to reading, including discussions on "Library Services for Children", "Reading and the Youth" and "The Use of Internet Services in Eritrea".

The opening ceremony of the book fair, held on 2 May, was attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, based in Asmara, Ms. Angela Kane, while the Mission’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila was present at the closing ceremony. On that occasion, UNMEE was awarded a certificate of participation.

COMMENTS FROM ERITREAN WRITERS AT THE BOOK FAIR

ABBA ISAAK

"Writers can contribute to a lasting peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia. War is a product of ignorance. The more a man knows, the more he wants to learn, the more he hates war."

As well as translating numerous books from Italian into Tigrina, Abba Isaak’s books cover various topics, from literature and history, to archaeology and food recipes. His aim is to depict the history of Eritrea.

HABTEAB WELDEMENKERIOS

Habteab, a young writer, has written two books on English language: "Matriculation English" and "English at Home". The latest belongs to the collection Sham Reader (named after his little son Sham) and the second volume will be published soon. Habtead holds a Masters in Education and teaches at the University of Asmara.

MELESSE WOLDESELASSIE

Melesse’s books focus on psychology, self-guidance, and deportation. He writes on Tigrina, Amharic, and English.

UQBAMICAEL HABTEMARIAM

Uqbamicael, a public relations officer at the Commercial and Housing Bank, translates Shakeaspeare’s plays into Tigrina. So far he has published "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Merchant of Venice". The translation of Hamlet will be published soon.