Importance of Book Fairs in the Digital Age | مركز سمت للدراسات

Importance of Book Fairs in the Digital Age

Date & time : Saturday, 2 October 2021

Alaa Alghamdi

 

Books play an important role in our lives because they do not only provide us with knowledge, they also introduce us to the broader world of imagination. They act as avenues for us to connect with the world around us, and they help broaden our thoughts and horizons. With this in mind, book fairs play a significant role in ensuring that books make this impact in our lives. Book fairs are defined as exhibitions hosted by a group of publishers to stimulate the interest of readers and increase sales. They bring together publishers, book dealers, agents, distributors and retailers to do business, and they also draw attention to the book industry, and its significance to both the media and the public. Book fairs displaying a variety of books in different fields including Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Literature among others.

In the digital age, book fairs are still significant because although they are shrinking in size, they are flourishing in terms of the quality of attendants and the business deal closed at every event. Besides, although everyone in the digital age is interested in reading virtually, book fairs act as a doorway for publishers to showcase their bestseller books in an effort to update readers as well as stimulate a culture of reading to non-readers. Besides, book fairs are now acting as cultural and educational events for the community of readers. They include panel discussions, seminars, meet ups with the authors, and presentations from them to keep the attendants engaged as well as facilitate the spread of knowledge.

The Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF) is one of the biggest book fairs in the world with the aim of preserving the reading culture. RIBF gives a platform for companies, individuals, publishers, and translators to display their books and draw public attention and the media towards them. The central role of this book fair is to promote and generate a reading culture in the community by motivating individuals to strive to read and acquire knowledge.

 

Associate Professor of English – Taibah University*

@ayghamd

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