Only 35 books sold at Lahore book fair, over 1,200 shawarmas fly off stalls: report | Trending

Oct 22, 2024 03:00 PM At a recent book fair in Lahore, Pakan, the focus on literature was eclipsed food stalls. At a recent book fair in Pakan, the focus on literature was eclipsed food stalls. The book fair was organised to promote literature and culture, but its lofty aims were dashed the more earthly concerns of its attendees. According to local reports, only 35 books were sold at the Lahore book fair, while attendees bought over 1,200 shawarmas and more than 800 plates of biryani at the event. A book fair in Lahore saw book sales eclipsed biryanis and shawarmas. (Representational image) It is perhaps ironic that the book fair was organised in Lahore, generally considered the cultural and literary centre of Pakan. The city, Pakan’s second-largest, has horically been a hub for intellectual and literary activities. It is, in fact, the birthplace of some of the subcontinent’s most famous authors, including Saadat Hasan Manto and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Biryani over booksAccording to a report in Asia News Network, however, food overshadowed books at the Lahore book fair. Only 35 books were actually purchased at the fair – a pitiful number any measure. contrast, food stalls did a roaring business, selling more than 1,200 shawarmas. The incident was rued social media users who took it as a sign of Lahore’s decline. On the “Pakan” forum on Reddit, one person called it “embarrassing”. “Pakan does not have a reading culture,” another said. Some were amused the strange focus on food at a literary event. Several people also blamed the price factor for the low book sales. “A book costs 4-500 (and usually more expensive at fairs). Biryani and shawarma are around 100. If I want a book I’d much rather go to a second hand bookshop because cheaper with more variety,” a Reddit user pointed out. “A similar fair in Karachi would see way more sales. Price is also a thing, because a plate of biryani is 400-500 or less and an original novel is 1000-4000,” another said. Get Latest Updates on… See more News / Trending / Only 35 books sold at Lahore book fair, over 1,200 shawarmas fly off stalls: report