Asmara, 20 March 2010 – The 9th Eritrean Book Fair opened yesterday at the Expo grounds under the theme: “Reading: Investment in Soft Power!” The Minister of Education, Mr. Semere Russom, opened the Fair.

Over 70 institutions, bookshops, Embassies, schools and individuals are participating at the Fair that would continue until 28 March.

Mr. Yishaq Yosef from the Fair’s coordinating committee stated that more than 500 books written by Eritreans in the national languages are being staged, and that a temporary library has been set up to add color to the event.

He further pointed out that the committee has effected a 20% discount in the price of all types of books through injecting a subsidy of 200,000 Nakfa with a view to promoting the reading  habit among members of the society.

In the course of the Fair, various programs, including lectures, general knowledge contest among students, workshops and arts forum would be featured.

Ministers, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as invited guests attended the opening ceremony in which a number of cultural troupes staged musical performance.