FIBF 2026  ·  Full Programme

Reading Zambia to the World,
Reading the World in Zambia

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23APR
Day 1 · Thursday
Opening Day
World Book Day · Official Opening & Policy Dialogue
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24APR
Day 2 · Friday
Professional Day
Rights, Skills & Development
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25APR
Day 3 · Saturday
Community Day
Children, Families & Future Readers
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23APR
Day 1 · Thursday 23 April 2026
World Book Day — Opening & Policy Dialogue
Official launch, UNESCO ceremony, youth voices, Prof. Miti's keynote address & the Zambian book industry panel.
08:30
08:30
Accreditation & Registration
  • Welcome desk open
  • Badge issuance
09:00
09:00 — Key Opening
Official Opening & World Book Day Ceremony
  • Welcoming Remarks
  • Remarks from Book Fair Director
  • Messages from Partners
Children's Corner open: Kubelenga Library · ZLS assorted activities
09:55
09:55
Youth Panel: Reading for Self-Discovery
  • Moderator: Natasha Chavula (Chilenje B)
  • Arakan Girls School
  • Neza Trezor — Arakan Boys School
  • Sarah Chanda — St. Patrick's Girls School
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS assorted activities
10:40
10:40 — Keynote
Message from UNESCO & Keynote Address
  • Message from UNESCO
  • Keynote: Prof. Lazarus M. M. Miti, PhD
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS assorted activities
11:50
11:50 — Ceremony
Theme Unveiling & Reading Zambia Declaration
12:05
12:05
Guided Tour of Exhibition Tables
  • School & Children's activities on stage Kids
13:00
Lunch Break
14:00
14:00
Stakeholders & Partners Spotlight
 
Afternoon — Panel
Panel: The State of the Zambian Book Industry
  • Moderator: Sumili Kipenda
  • Dr. Mwaka Siluonde
  • Ruth Simujayangombe
  • Austin Kaluba
  • Holy Musonda
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6 (Wila Wane Toys) · Author Readings — Adult & Children's Corners
15:30
End of Day
Close of Day's Formal Programme
24APR
Day 2 · Friday 24 April 2026
Professional, Rights & Skills Development Day
Masterclasses in publishing, writing, entrepreneurship & AI, plus the manuscript-to-market panel and open literary sector conversations.
08:30
08:30
Accreditation, Registration & Recap
09:00
09:00
Stakeholders & Partners Spotlight
Children's Corner open: Kubelenga Library · ZLS assorted activities · Room 6 (Wila Wane Toys)
09:25
09:25 — Presentation
Publishing Fundamentals
Stan Montsho (RSA)
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
10:10
10:10 — Masterclass
Writing & Storytelling
Natasha Omokhodion
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library (Storytelling — Dr. A. Chibesakunda) · ZLS activities · Room 6
11:35
11:35 — Masterclass
Entrepreneurship & Brand Building
Dr. Ayan Ahmed
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
12:10
12:10
Read-Aloud Session
Anna Zgambo
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library (Lucille Mudenda — ZAWWA) · ZLS activities · Room 6
12:35
Lunch Break
13:35
13:35 — Future Focus
AI & Digital Publishing
Mapalo Lukashi (BongoHive)
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
14:20
14:20 — Panel
Panel: From Manuscript to Market
  • Moderator: Marita Banda
  • Dika Phiri
  • Ritsha Bernard
  • Mr. Ntambakwa
  • Sydney Muponda
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
15:10
15:10
Literary Sector Open Conversations
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
15:30
End of Day
Close of Day's Formal Programme
25APR
Day 3 · Saturday 25 April 2026
Community, Children & Future Readers Day
Family activities, masterclasses, book launches & the grand closing ceremony with a keynote from H.E. Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe.
08:30
08:30
Accreditation, Registration & Recap
09:00
09:00 — Presentation
Managing Creative Enterprises & Distribution
Yoweli Chungu
Children's Corner open: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
10:00
10:00 — Masterclass
Editing & Publishing
Shadreck Chikoti (Malawi)
Children's Corner: ZLS activities
11:00
11:00 — Masterclass
Children's Book Creation (Kulanda House)
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library (Read-Aloud — Anna Zgambo) · ZLS activities · Room 6 (Copper Monstera Storytelling)
11:45
11:45
Thematic Debate: Reading Books vs Social Media
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library (Family Reading Hour — Wila Wane Store) · ZLS activities · Room 6
12:45
12:45
Conversations on Governance of Arts Associations
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library · ZLS activities · Room 6
13:10
Lunch Break
13:50
13:50 — Celebration
Book Launches & Author Signings
Children's Corner: Kubelenga Library (Natubelenge Library) · ZLS activities
14:35
14:35 — Grand Finale
Closing Ceremony & Awards
  • Communiqué: The Future of Reading in Zambia
  • Keynote Address: H.E. Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe — COMESA Secretary General
  • Awards & Recognition — Authors, Publishers, Literacy Champions
15:30
15:30 — Farewell
Close of Book Fair 2026

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