World Book Day: Bibliophile encourages locals to delve between the pages
Durban publisher Anivesh Singh encourages locals to get lost in the magic of reading this World Book Day. He also provides advice on how to promote literacy within the community.
“READING is bibliotherapy,” says Durban-based publisher and bookworm, Anivesh Singh.
For most of his life, Singh has been promoting literacy and reading, so naturally, on World Book Day today (April 23), he encourages the following:
– get into the habit of reading
– parents should read to their children regularly
– visit libraries
– support book fairs and booksellers
– donate old books to under-resourced libraries
Singh has put local authors on the map. Not only does he own Micromega Publishers in Durban North, he is also one of the founders of the Durban International Book Fair which is growing more popular year after year.
“I did a lot of reading as a child and would finish four to five books in a day. I am an introvert so my time was occupied by reading,” he said.
Also read: Find ‘novel’ reads at book fair in uMhlanga
About five years ago, Singh started publishing local authors who had interesting stories to tell, but most of whom would not be published by conventional publishers.
He also started The Durban Book Fair, Booksellers of Mzansi and now The Durban International Book Fair which attracts thousands of book lovers from all over the country.
Last year, 7 000 people attended the literacy event.
This World Book Day, Singh is hosting a mini book fair in Shallcross where local authors, Leonard Moodley, S’bo Vilakazi and Leonard Moodley, will feature, followed by a screening of Made in Chatsworth.
The fair takes place at Heidi Hall on May 4 from 14:30 to 17:00.
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