Windhoek — The Franco Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC) will be hosting the first ever Namibia Youth Book Fair (NYBF) 2012 project aimed at impressing upon the youth the importance of reading.

The joint initiative between FNCC and the Goethe Centre is scheduled to run from October 26 to 29 October 2012 and aims to avail reading materials to the general public. "Reading materials are not easily available to some parts of the population in the country, or you find that there are libraries that are under-stocked or that there is a lack of interesting materials for young people and this is what we noticed," said FNCC Director Jean - Paul Martin. He added that 22 years after independence the reading culture in Namibia is still in its infancy and improvements need to be done by engaging young people in starting reading.

This platform should be made of use by Editors, publishers, teachers and even parents should make use of this platform to engage one another, he opined. "The Goethe Zentrum and FNCC have this first ever event the Namibia Youth Book Fair to develop reading amongst the young people," he said adding that this will also help with regard to where books are expensive, community libraries are said to be under-stocked and lack interesting material especially for the youth. "Parents are invited to this event, and especially with their children. The event will also dedicate one day for learners from various schools where they can come and join in the event," said Goethe Centre Director, Sabine Aquilini.

The initiative is in an effort to help develop a reading culture among children and the youth in Namibia, and aims at sensitising the general public on the importance of reading and writing. Those that will be in attendance can expect readings by local and international authors, storytelling and other activities for kids, workshops for teachers, parents and aspiring authors, a spooky reading night with sleep-over, act Reading and a theatre show and many more.

Guests will include Ivorian author, Veronique Tadjo; South African author and Director Gcina Mhlope and Portuguese illustrator, Pedro Leitao.