Book fair opens Tuesday

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri will inaugurate the Indonesia Book Fair 2000 at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center on Tuesday, the Indonesian Publishers Association (Ikapi) announced on Saturday.

Besides a book exhibition involving more than 100 participants, the Oct. 17 to Oct. 22 annual event, which will mark Ikapi's 50th anniversary, will also feature a seminar, contests and a chance for members of the public to meet with writers.

In commemorating its golden anniversary, Ikapi will present awards to people who have contributed to the development of the book industry in Indonesia. Ikapi will also donate school textbooks to refugees in Bengkulu, Aceh, Atambua and Ambon.

The seminar on Wednesday, on promoting reading, will feature Muslim intellectual Nurcholish Madjid, former education minister Fuad Hasan and noted author Arswendo Atmowiloto. (01)