Africa-Press – Angola. The secretary for cultural activities of the Union of Angolan Writers (UEA), Ras Nguimba Ngola, defended, yesterday, in Lubango, Huíla province, the intervention of the State in the definition of public policies to reduce the cost of book production and, consequently, the final sales values of the same.
The writer Ras Nguimba Ngola, who presented his fourth work, in Lubango, said that the cost of producing the book in Angola, in addition to affecting the regularity in the publication of literary works, increases the final price, which is a strangling factor in the habits of reading.
Ras Nguimba Ngola stated that the persistence of some writers, who continue to publish works, is motivated by a love for literature because “the book market does not exist due to constraints in the book production chain, due to the lack of a State policy.
“The book production chain still works with many constraints. We are always listening to publishers and printers complaining. There are more than 100 publishers in the country, but not many books are produced, because the process is expensive. It’s still small. If it produces a thousand copies, they won’t be distributed in a year”, he argued.
He stated that the book in physical format will still prevail for a long time. “There is a small stratum of society, especially the young, who can do it in digital. The digital format is an alternative, but traditional readers prefer the physical book. Innovative writers can publish, but consumption is minimal”, he said.
The writer defended that the “powerful hand of the State” should intervene in fiscal matters or subsidize the production and import costs of the main raw materials, as a way of driving down the selling prices of the book to readers.
“With the help of the State, effective policies can be created that facilitate the circulation of books at reasonable prices. The book market must be forced and dynamized. The chain is only composed of creators or writers and readers, but also of publishers, printers and importers of raw materials such as paper and other consumables”, he said.
The secretary for cultural activities of the Union of Angolan Writers (UEA) announced for the near future the expansion of the association’s actions to the remaining provinces of the country to encourage the participation of young aspiring literature. Ras Nguimba Ngola announced the promotion of the “Maka à Quarta-Feira” meeting outside Luanda, especially in Lubango to promote interaction between old and new generations and to publicize the trajectory of writers to local readers.
“We started in June. The traditional “Maka à Quarta Feia” and now “Conversa com” are the main activities of the union of Angolan writers that we intend to expand. defended.
He underlined that the Angolan Writers Union also plans to carry out comprehensive round tables, workshops, conferences and other activities in all provinces. “We need more contacts and expressions of interest from local writers. That way we can boost the union’s activity here in Huíla province as well”, he predicted.
Ras Nguimba Ngola appealed for the persistence and resilience of the new talents of Huíla’s literature to overcome the difficulties of the journey, especially in a market where “the policy of promoting books and supporting literature are considered almost null”.
“My advice to young Huila writers is not only to not give up. When you have literature in your soul, spirit and life, no difficulty can stop you. The exercise of writing must be constant. Publishing is the culmination of permanent work. You must continue to read, write and improve our pen”, he urged.
Ras Nguimba Ngola presented at Lubango 30 of the 300 copies of the fourth literary scion, entitled “Em Muzondo under the mystical gaze of the Moon”, seal of the publisher Palavras e Artes. Intimas”, published in 2009 and 2015, respectively, and “Ela de fora os dogs”, in 2014.
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