Which African books have had the most powerful influence on you or your society? The Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF), which takes place in Harare later this year, has invited nominations for a list of Africa’s 100 best books. The idea is to celebrate African writing, publishing and research. The top titles will be announced at ZIBF 2000.
Nominated titles must have been published in the 20th century and must have been written by an African – defined for the purpose of this project as someone who was either born in Africa or who became a citizen of an African country.
Books can be nominated in the categories of fiction (including poetry and drama) in English, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Afrikaans; fiction (including poetry and drama) in an African language; non-fiction in English, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Afrikaans; and non-fiction in an African language.
Each nomination must be accompanied by a rationale of a minimum of 50 words which may be written in French, English or Portuguese.
The ZIBF invites “writers, academics, researchers, teachers, professionals in the book trade and interested individuals to participate in this exercise … We hope that each African country, relevant institutions and associations will form their own discussion groups to put forward joint nominations.”
Nominations will be announced on the ZIBFwebsite (www.zibf.org) and in the media on an ongoing basis.
“We hope that the list will act as a stimulus so that more books will be read, bought, printed and reprinted,” says the ZIBF.
Inquiries about how to make your nomination, and what information is required, may be made to the ZIBF, and nominations may be sent to Africa’s Best 100 Books, Zimbabwe International Book Fair, PO Box CY1179, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe. They can be faxed to (2634) 70- 2129 or e-mailed to [email protected]. The closing date is June 30 2000.
The theme of this year’s ZIBF, from August 1 to 5, is Celebrating African Books. The indaba forum on marketing African books takes place on July 29 and 30. There are various writers’ workshops taking place as well.