Participants at the ongoing Garden city Literary Festival book fair have given a nod to organizers at this year’s edition of the event.
Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent Precious Werner Ahiakwo at the Book fair stand said the idea of relocating the book fair from the troubled University of Port Harcourt to Hotel Presidential is a welcomed idea.
Although some complained that they have a better audience and patronage at the school environment but a more comfortable and encouraging environment at the new venue. They also said they were surprised at the turn out and patronage at the new venue even on the first day of the book fair which kicked off on Monday 15thOctober.
Despite records of the huge turnout, more participation of organizations at the fair was also recorded. Our correspondent who took a tour round the book fair reports that 70% of organizations at the stand were participating for the first time since inception in 2008.
On prices of products especially of books at the fair, some shoppers told our correspondent that prices at the fair are somewhat on the high side. They opined that books are supposed to be cheaper at a book fair than the bookshop, but reverse is the case. One of the shoppers who also spoke to our correspondent commended the quality of books and services describing it as incomparable and worth the money.
The Garden City Literary Festival, which kicked off in 2008, is the brain child of Governor Amaechi of Rivers State and is sponsored by the Rivers State Government. The Festival takes place annually in Port Harcourt. Hundreds of literary enthusiasts make their way to the Garden City yearly to participate in this four-day event which comprises a book fair, writers workshops, diverse literary forums, a symposium, drama performances and other cultural displays.
Participating writers have included Nigeria’s Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate), Ghana’s Koffi Awonoor, Kenyan’s Ngugi wa Thiong’o, American writer Petrina Crockford and Jamaican writer Lindsay Barrett. Children are an important part of this festival. They have special workshops and discussion sessions, schedules visits to the book fair and an opportunity to showcase their talent at a special session on the last day of the festival.
