Colombo International Book Fair opens on September 16

EXHIBITION: The annual Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF), Sri Lanka's biggest and most successful public exhibition and fair opens at the BMICH on September 16 in the style and scope of an international festival for book lovers.

Taking place for the eighth successive year, this year's CIBF will have a record 445 local and international stalls and will provide the setting for the launch of more than 500 new books, the organisers said. This festival which attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, will run for nine days, offering Sri Lankans more than a million titles to browse and buy at special prices.

Themed 'Ignite Young Minds', this year's Fair will seek to promote reading among children. A series of special events for children such as practical sessions of writing, drawing, art competitions, reading as well as listening to readings by celebrity authors will take place at the venue throughout the duration of the fair.

CIBF 2006 will also be the launching pad for a scholarship trust for bright students whose education is interrupted by financial constraints. The scholarship fund will be launched under the aegis Book Publishers' Association and raise funds through collections at the Book Fair, donations from participating exhibitors and collection tills at some 1500 book sales outlets after the fair is concluded.

In support of the CIBF 2006, eight main publishers/booksellers signed contracts last week to sponsor the event, with Sarasavi Bookshop taking the lead role as Principal Sponsor and Vijitha Yapa Bookshop, Godage Book Emporium, Jeya Book Center, Ariya Publishers, Pitraban, Vidarshana Publishers and Mal Piyali Publishers accepting co-sponsorship.

The CIBF coincides with World Literacy Month and is organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association in conjunction with the Booksellers' Association of Ceylon and the Samastha Lanka Poth Velenda Sangamaya, with the BMICH as co-organiser.

It attracts book publishers, booksellers, academics, writers, illustrators and professionals providing educational aids and software, who gather to offer a wide range of products and services related to print and non-print material. Entrance is free to the CIBF, which will run from September 16 to 24 and will be open to the public from 9.30am to 8pm.