Book Fair Bonanza

As you can see from the listing on our Events page, there are many book fairs all over the world.  They provide an opportunity for readers, writers, publishers and related organizations to be immersed in books, ephemera, and even art and music.  And, of course, they are great places to find free bookmarks.  Here are two reports on recent book fairs in Vilnius, Lithuania and Oakland, California, USA.

From Regina Mačiulytė
From 21 February till 24 February in Vilnius was the book fair. This fair started in 1999, so now the Vilnius book fair celebrates its 20th birthday. In the fair were not only writers and publishers, but also you can listen to music and meet musicians. There were not only writers who wrote books, but also actors, singers, nature scientists, journalists, etc.

Regina with friends and IFOB members Vilija and Julija

It's like a cultural event where you can meet friends or people you know and meet once in a year.

​You can go to books presentations, listen about books, and listen to people who read books who can tell more. Sometimes books presentations have many people, sometimes just several. This book presentation was discussion about Latvian and Lithuanian books. 

​As you can see, where you can buy fiction books, there are many people. Sometimes books are cheaper at the book fair, but sometimes it's just 2 euros or less. Also you can ask for writers’ autographs. Science fiction books are not so interesting, but also sometimes there are many people. 

Fiction hall

Scientific hall

​Also you can get bookmarks. This year I found about 100 new bookmarks.

​I took a selfie with writers, singers, and a painter. Sigutė Ach is a painter who has publisher "Nieko rimto" where you can buy books, cards, bookmarks and other stuff. She is a very nice person and asked me maybe I don't have all bookmarks from the publisher? So I took 3. 

The Lithuanian mint made a bookmark-coin for this 20th book fair. It's really interesting. ​

In the music hall there are so many young people, who want to have photos with their idols. ​My idol is Andrius Mamontovas. He is one of the best musicians and has been singing more than 30 years. He is really famous in Lithuania. 

Music hall

Regina with Andrius Mamontovas

​8 kambarys is a group who sing rap/hip-hop. They are very nice people.

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​Journalist Andrius Tapinas is a writer and also has TV on youtube. With his team he makes shows about Lithuania, politics (I think many in politics don't like him). He has a sharp tongue for this. But many young people like him. 

​Also, not all people are happy that they should work in the book fair and don't have time to see what's happening.  My friend had to work all weekend.

Regina's friend Tomas

Regina with Andrius Tapinas

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From Laine Farley
I attended a different kind of book fair, the 52nd California International Antiquarian Book Fair, held 8-10 February in Oakland, California, USA. Because it specializes in rare and antiquarian books, there are not as many vendors as at a general book fair, but they offer many interesting and unusual books and ephemera. 

The Friends of Calligraphy were making free bookmarks like this one. 

 At this fair, there were also exhibits from related organizations such as the Miniature Book Society. I should have asked if they have miniature bookmarks!

Miniature Book Society

Miniature Book Society

the Ephemera Society of America  had a special display by a collector of Native American themed advertising ephemera. It’s possible there are some bookmarks in this detailed display. [warning: some people may find these depictions offensive, but they are artifacts of their time]

Ephemera Society of America

Of course, there were free bookmarks to acquire such as these from book dealers. 

​A curated exhibit of first edition books by L. Frank Baum and the subsequent authors of the "Wizard of Oz" series, courtesy of Joel Harris, a local member of the International Wizard of Oz Club, was complemented by a lecture from a librarian from the University of California, Berkeley, Peter Hanff.  He talked about the publication of the Wizard of Oz books by L. Frank Baum, based on his extensive collection of books and printing ephemera.  He also gave attendees a special keepsake postcard—but it could be used as a bookmark too!

​Even if you are not a collector of rare or antiquarian books, it can be worthwhile to attend this type of book fair to see the  history of books and variety of interests among dealers and collectors.  

Check our Events page section on book fairs to locate one near you.  Many are held on a regular basis.  And let us know if there are others we should add to the list.