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| Thursday, 19 August 2004 |
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Colombo International Book Fair from September 6-12 Sri Lanka's leading exhibition venue is bracing itself for its biggest annual event - the Colombo International Book Fair - whose 2004 edition is billed to set new records for exhibitors and visitors. More than 200,000 people are expected to throng the BMICH and the adjacent Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre from September 6 - 12 when the Fair now in its sixth year gets under way, organisers said. A record 298 stalls representing 56 foreign and 120 local exhibitors makes this the biggest book fair in Colombo to date. In Colombo this week, four leading book publishers/booksellers signed contracts to sponsor this mega event, with M. D. Gunasena and Co. taking on the mantle of principal sponsor for the second time. Jeya Book Centre, Sarasavi Bookshop and Vijitha Yapa Bookshop took co-sponsorship, while Sampath Bank was designated Official Banker and Rupavahini and SLBC electronic media sponsors. "Book lovers can look forward to an unprecedented treat this year," said Ranjith Samaranayake, Managing Director of Samaranayake Publishers and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Colombo International Book Fair 2004. "There will be more titles than ever before and a series of exciting events and offers that no book lover would want to miss." Organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association and the BMICH in association with the Booksellers' Association of Ceylon and the Samastha Lanka Poth Velenda Sangamaya, the Colombo International Book Fair 2004 has attracted direct participation by exhibitors from the UK, USA, Australia, India, Singapore and Malaysia whose publications would be displayed at stalls spread over the BMICH and the Exhibition Centre. Additionally, books from the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan will also be on sale. All leading local publishers of Sinhala books have also taken stalls at the Fair. Sri Lanka's resident celebrity author Dr. Arthur C Clarke will officiate as Chief Guest at the opening of the Fair On September 6. A series of book-related events including new book launches, autograph signing sessions by authors and workshops will take place over the seven days of the exhibition. Visitors will also have opportunities to win valuable books at hourly raffle draws and benefit from special bargain offers, discounts and one-time offers that will only be available at the Fair. A feature at this year's event will be a SAARC pavilion representing publishers' and booksellers' associations from the seven member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. As in other years, the organisers have arranged free shuttle bus services from Borella, Bambalapitiya and the Town Hall to the BMICH. Visitors who arrive by car will have the services of a shuttle bus from the car parks to the exhibition halls. Ample outdoor seating, refreshment outlets, free drinking water, art competitions for children and cultural shows have also been organised for the benefit of visitors. |
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