The Bulawayo branch of the Zimbabwe Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association (Zana) will this Saturday celebrate newly published books by writers based in the city at the National Art Gallery.
Zana Bulawayo branch secretary for information and publicity Pathisa Nyathi told NewsDay on Wednesday more than seven authors published material this year alone.
They include Doris Dube, Isaac Mpofu, Mihla Sitsha, Henry Manda and Ishmael Penyayi an anthology by amaBooks as well as Nyathi himself.
Nyathi said in addition to authors, the celebrations would be attended by publishers, librarians, booksellers and academics.
“There will be a session that will highlight challenges faced by writers and the book industry in general,” said Nyathi.
Authors would take the opportunity to reflect on the lives and works of late writers such as Yvonne Vera, Mthandazo Ndema Ngwenya, Ndabezinhle Sigogo, Stephen Alumeda, Tambayi Nyika and Bishort Ngwenya, among others.
“It has become a tradition to light a candle in honour of each departed writer. To complement the candle ritual, there will be readings from some of the late authors’ works during the celebrations.”
Commemorations are held annually as part of the International Day of the African writer.
