The schedule for the second edition of the Zanzibar Book Fair 2025, to be held from May 23 – 25, 2025, has been revealed.
The Zanzibar Book Fair, a celebration of Zanzibari literature, was first hosted by the Zanzibar Renaissance Literary Society in 2023. It was a meeting place for local and global writers to exchange ideas, be inspired, and peruse thousands of books. It engaged students, teachers, book lovers, as well as members of the book trade like publishers, heads of cultural institutions, educational directors, head librarians, booksellers, and journalists. That first edition from October 20 – 22, 2023, had Nobel Prize 2021 literature laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah as a special guest.
The second edition will return to the island off the coast of Tanzania starting this Friday, May 23. On the cards for those who attend will be book launches, opportunities to meet popular authors, storytelling sessions, author meetups, panel discussions, expert forums, and a poetry night. The kids’ corner will be a space that allows book reading, storytelling, puppetry, and games. There will be a vibrant marketplace of diverse books with exhibitors like Sanduk Books.
One of the must-attend events is the Teknolojia na Fasihi za Watoto (English: Technology and Children’s Literature) forum conducted by Bula Buka Publishers founder Tiisetso Maloma, where authors, educators, digital storytellers, and publishers will dive into how technology is reshaping children’s literature—from writing to publishing and beyond. Attendees will discover how digital tools and AI are influencing young readers and the future of storytelling in Africa.
Here is the schedule in full:
Friday, May 23, 2025
8:00 – 11:00 AM: Opening Ceremony, Museum Garden
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Panel Talk: Bookstores for Children’s Stories Museum Garden
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Usajili wa Kazi za Ubunifu – COSOZA Majestic Cultural Hub Library
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Digital Illustrators Workshop – Day 1 American Corner
2:30 – 5:30 PM: Children’s Story Time Maktaba Kuu
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Book Launch – Ujanajike by Dotto Rangimoto Majestic Cultural Hub Library
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Book Launch – Jeroma Na Uoga by Albertina Mella Museum Garden
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Book Launch – Posa za Maana by Tune Shaaban Museum Garden
Saturday, May 24, 2025
9:00 – 12:00 PM: Children’s Storytelling Techniques – Tune Shaaban Museum Garden
9:00 – 12:00 PM: How Do I Start to Write Children’s Stories? – Nahida Esmail ZanLink Board Room
9:00 – 10:30 AM: Illustrators Forum Turaco – Spice Tree
11:00 – 12:30 PM: Technology for Children’s Literature – Tiisetso Maloma Majestic Cultural Hub Library
11:00 – 12:30 PM: Graphic Designers Forum Turaco – Spice Tree
1:30 – 3:30 PM: Digital Illustrators Workshop – Day 2 American Corner
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Children’s Writers Panel – Mwanacha, Blandina Lucas, Tune Salim. Museum Garden
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Editors Forum Turaco – Spice Tree
2:00 – 5:00 PM: Book Buddies Majestic Cultural Hub Library
4:00 – 6:00 PM: Book Launch – Moto wa Tumbatu by Haji Gora Emerson Secret Garden
4:30 – 6:00 PM: Print Houses Forum Turaco – Spice Tree
Sunday, May 25, 2025
9:00 AM: Book Launch – Tutaonaje by Amina Mohamed Museum Garden
10:00 – 12:00 PM: Book Swap & Networking Café Africano
10:30 – 12:30 PM: Digital Illustrators Workshop – Day 3 American Corner
11:00 – 12:30 PM: Launch of Zanzibar Review Emerson Hurumzi Gallery
1:30 – 3:00 PM: Closing Ceremony Museum Garden
4:00 – 6:00 PM: Silent Book Club Zanzibar Café Africano
This year, the fair is supported by, among others, Taste Me Desert Hub, Smartboy Foundation, Zanzibar Youth Empowerment Foundation (ZAYEO), Maktaba Zanzibar, Room to Read, Turaco, and YAS.
If you want to find out more about this book fair, we recommend its official website or their social media handles on Twitter/X or Instagram.
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