International Book Fair opens today

LAHORE:

The 30th Lahore International Book Fair opens at the Expo Centre on Thursday (today). The annual festival hosts national and international publishers offering books at discounted rates. This year publishers from seven countries will display books at 200 stalls.

“Usually, schoolchildren visit the fair during the day,” said LIBF administrator Saleem Malik.

“We are not sure because of the security situation how school administrations will participate in the festival this year. We don’t know if schools will bring children as they have done previously,” he said.

“The Expo Centre is a secure location. No vehicle can enter the premises without being searched at the gate.”

The book fair has grown over the years. Malik said, “In 2009, when we shifted to the Expo Centre from Fortress Stadium, there were some apprehensions because the location was far from the city. However, the response was very encouraging,” he said.

“Parking became a problem for visitors when we held the fair at Alhamra on the Mall,” he said. “This is no longer a problem at the Expo Centre,” said Malik. “Every year, more people visit the fair. It is a sign that there are still a lot of people who love books,” he said.

Random House and Newage Publishers are participating in the fair from India. The event will be inaugurated by Minister for Information Pervez Rahseed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2016.