The 11th Cambodia Book Fair, scheduled to take place from December 19-22, is expected to attract another wave of enthusiastic book lovers. Under the theme “Readers are Lifelong Learners”, the fair aims to celebrate the written word while highlighting the crucial role of reading in personal and professional growth. 

With over 200,000 attendees last year, the fair is a major cultural event, yet organisers are calling for deeper engagement from a critical segment of the population – genuine book buyers.

Hok Sothik, a representative of the Cambodia Book Fair Committee, expressed pride in the event’s success but underscored a significant gap in participation. 

“Last year, we broke a record with over 200,000 attendees, but we are still facing challenges in attracting sufficient book buyers,” Sothik said. “While students and young people flock to the event, many lack the financial means to purchase the books they would like to own.”

Sothik's remarks highlight an ongoing issue the fair faces: despite its impressive attendance, many of the visitors are not able to contribute to the economic sustainability of the event by purchasing books. 

He is appealing to Cambodia's middle class – specifically civil servants, farmers and individuals over 40 with stable jobs – to step forward and support the event.

From left to right: Culture ministry secretary of state Kim Pinon and fair committee representatives Hok Sothik and Sok Rithy chair a press conference themed “Readers are Lifelong Learners”, on December 11 in Phnom Penh. Hong Raksmey

“We need their participation, whether it's buying books for themselves, their children or as donations to libraries and schools,” he urged.

The fair’s opening ceremony will be graced by several prominent officials, including Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron; Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeung Sakona; and Kampong Cham’s provincial representative, Khieu Kanharith. 

Their attendance underscores the national importance of the fair in promoting a culture of reading and knowledge-sharing.

Culture ministry secretary of state Kim Pinon highlighted that the market serves five main objectives. The first goal is to promote the publication of books – both classic and contemporary – and to establish markets for them both domestically and internationally.

Lek Chumnor, a writer supported publisher, visit Avitar Publishing House founder Hout Socheata’s booth at the 2023 Cambodia Book Fair. Hong Raksmey

Speaking at a press conference held at the Sun & Moon Hotel on December 11, he remarked, “The second objective is to encourage Cambodians to cultivate a habit of reading and to inspire young people to recognise reading's value in developing knowledge and improving ideas for study and work.”

Pinon added that the third goal is to promote storytelling and drawing programmes for children, fostering a love of books from an early age. 

Additionally, he noted the fair supports the publishing industry in Cambodia and abroad, while encouraging Cambodian writers to continue creating new works.

The fair will feature seven main attractions, including discounted book sales, an electronic publishing forum, presentations on literature, art and science, discussions on adapting books into films and the development of early reading skills. 

The 10th Cambodia Book Fair in 2023 was the first held on Koh Pich after the National Library of Cambodia could not accommodate the large number of visitors the event attracted. Hong Raksmey

The expo will also include storytelling and games for children, discussions with renowned authors, and musical performances.

Pinon noted, “The Cambodia Book Fair is increasingly attracting young people and has become an important cultural event, promoting and encouraging the habit of reading while highlighting its value for personal development and professional growth.”

With the rise of digital media, the importance of physical books and reading culture cannot be overstated. 

The fair serves as an essential platform not only for book sales but also for the nurturing of intellectual curiosity and the growth of the Cambodian publishing industry.