First ever book fair aims to promote reading

Eritrea’s first National Book Fair is being held this week in the country’s capital, Asmara. The fair, attended by Eritrean authors, publishers and booksellers, is intended to promote reading and literature in a country where, after 30 years of war, books are considered an expensive luxury.

Many schools have no books for their pupils, the country’s only two public libraries are in Asmara and the handful of bookshops which exist offer a very limited range.

“There is a shortage of books but also little awareness of reading, especially in the countryside,” said Arefaine Tecle, a school librarian and member of the fair’s organising committee. “Our main objective is to promote literature, to tell people that reading is good for them and that it is fun. We also want to make readers aware of indigenous books and authors.”

Arefaine blames high prices for the lack of interest in reading. Wages in the civil service average around 1,500 nakfa (US $110) per month, while most books cost around 100 nakfa (US $7) each - beyond the reach of many Eritreans.

Furthermore, the illiteracy rate in Eritrea is estimated at around 70 percent so reading is currently for the elite and the educated. The authorities say that with peace in sight, the government is focusing on development, including human resources development.

"Schools are being built in most places and human resources are expected to grow," Eritrea's deputy ambassador to Kenya, Teweldemedhin Tesfamariam, told IRIN. "Because of the war [with Ethiopia], we could not advance quickly enough." He said many students and civil servants were being sent abroad for training as part of the human resources development. In addition, various groups and regional administrations have been running literacy campaigns throughout the country.

From behind a stall displaying some of his works, Yishac G Iyesus, one of the country’s best known and most prolific authors talks to a crowd of schoolchildren. He tells them about the 30 books he has written - mostly about the Eritrea’s history and culture. His audience listens with interest, but Yishac says there is little tradition of reading, among both young and old.

“When there is a war, people do not read. Printing is too expensive, publishers do not want to publish and people do not want to buy. I hope that will change now that we have peace,” he says.

Yishac’s cautious optimism is shared by other stallholders and visitors at the fair. Schoolchildren and adults gather around stalls run by the British Council, which runs one of Eritrea’s only public libraries, and the Library Information Network, which is working to establish community libraries in towns and villages nationwide.

Solomon Dirar, a publisher and chairman of the Book Fair’s organising committee, also believes the fair will revive the public’s interest in books. “People will read if the book is good,” he said. Solomon is also the author of one of Eritrea’s few best-sellers. ‘The Eritrean Commander’ - a tale of bravery by liberation fighters against Ethiopian forces during the independence war - has sold thousands of copies.

Abraham, 15, a pupil at an Asmara secondary school, is the sort of potential reader the fair is aiming to attract. “I like books, but I do not have any at home and I have read all our schoolbooks. If we had more I would certainly like to read them,” he said.

The organisers hope the Book Fair will become an annual event, and next year plan to invite publishers and authors from abroad.