IKAPI to hold book fair

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta-based Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI) will hold "Jakarta Book Fair 1996" at the Senayan sports center from July 27 to Aug. 4.

The fair committee chairperson, Kartini Nurdin, told a press conference yesterday that the fair was held to celebrate book reading month (September) and to promote reading and visiting the library, which was urged by President Soeharto in 1995.

She said that branches of IKAPI, foreign book publishers, book importers, book distributors, bookstores, magazine publishers, and producers of book-related products will be participating in this year's fair.

The theme of this year's book fair is "Bulan Gemar Membaca" (Fond of Book Reading). Many programs will be held at the fair, such as book seminars, book launchings and book synopsis and summary writing competitions.

Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja will officially open the fair, which will cost about Rp 300 million (around US$129,000). The fair will be open to the public from 10 am to 9 pm. (26)