The 27th Nairobi International Book Fair, running from September 24 to Sunday, has attracted large numbers of visitors to the exhibition stand of China's Xiamen International Book Company Limited. Schoolchildren cheered as a replica of a giant dragon hovered behind them at the entrance to the book fair. They later visited the XIBC stand to enjoy cultural experiences such as painting and calligraphy. Brightly colored comic books grabbed the attention of schoolchildren from different parts of Nairobi.
Xiong Liguo, general manager assistant at XIBC, said the book fair has sparked the curiosity of local visitors keen to learn about Chinese culture through literature, costumes, and illustrations. The five-day book fair features storytelling, publisher networking forums, book readings, and children's activities such as face painting. Xiong added that the event would advance the objectives of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The book fair aims to facilitate cultural exchange with Kenya.
Miriam Achieng, a Mandarin student who volunteered at the XIBC stand, said many adults were inquiring about books themed around Chinese history and culture, the country's development trajectory, governance model, literature, and fiction. The children were attracted to bookmarks, and some adults were interested in traditional Chinese costumes. Achieng described the experience as beautiful, with many visitors showing interest in Chinese culture.
The Zhejiang Publishing United Group exhibition stand displayed stacks of books covering the social and natural sciences, humanities, and instructional materials for learners from primary to tertiary institutions. Executives at the publishing group hoped to gain an unfiltered view of Kenya's reading culture and how it could influence cultural and educational ties with China. The book fair, organized by the Kenya Publishers Association, targets 60,000 visitors and features 20 international exhibitors.
Two young Kenyans manned the exhibition stand of Changjiang Publishing and Media, explaining to visitors some of the themes covered by the books on display and their real-world implications. Joseph Wamui, a Mandarin student at the University of Nairobi, underscored the significance of the book fair in cementing Sino-Kenyan cultural understanding through written texts. The books on display highlighted Chinese culture, food, and travel.
Alice Wanjala, pursuing a basic Chinese language course at the University of Nairobi, encouraged Kenyans to read Chinese literature and broaden their worldview. Some local visitors to the Changjiang Publishing and Media exhibition stand were impressed by books written for Kenyan learners by Chinese teachers. Wanjala mentioned that the stand also displayed the Flora of Kenya, a book about Kenya from the perspective of Chinese people.
Jia Xi, deputy general manager of Beijing Shengtong Printing Co., Ltd., was impressed by the robust and lively spirit of local book lovers during his first visit to Kenya. He expressed interest in having more exchanges with Kenyan publishers, believing that reading more Chinese books would help Kenyans understand China better. The book fair runs under the theme "Read, Think, Lead."
Key points
- The 27th Nairobi International Book Fair features 20 international exhibitors from China, India, Trkiye, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.
- Chinese publishers showcase books, cultural products, and educational materials at the book fair.
- The book fair aims to promote cultural exchange between China and Kenya.
