By Yunus S Saliu
The renowned Gambian publisher, Patience Sonko-Godwin, a historian, author, researcher, manager, and proprietor of Sunrise Publishers was among the over 2000 participants from 90 countries that participated in the just concluded 18th edition of the International Book Fair – FILVEN 22 held in the city of Caracas, the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela from the 10th -20th November 2022.
Madam Patience Sonko-Godwin was ably represented at the FILVEN 22 18th edition of the International Book Fair by her Assistant Manager, Mr. Siaka Fadera.
FILVEN 22 was officially opened by the President of Venezuela, His Excellency, Honorable Nicolas Maduro while various Ministers of State, their staff and various government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corp, and members of the public attended the opening, too.
This year’s Book Fair paid tribute to the whole of Africa and had the slogan ‘Reading Colonizers,” with over 2000 participants from about 90 countries.
Patience Sonko-Godwin was identified to the Ministry of the People’s Power of Culture of Venezuela for the invitation to the fair by the Venezuelan Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Honorable Alejandro Correa to participate in this auspicious event.
On behalf of Mrs. Patience Sonko-Godwin at the Sunrise stand at the book fair, Mr. Siaka Fadera, Assistant Manager at the Sunrise Publishers welcomed His Excellency the President of Venezuela and his entourage to the Sunrise Publishers Stand where the books of Patience Sonko-Godwin were being exhibited.
Other visitors to the Sunrise Publishers Stand were the Venezuelan Ministers of Culture, Foreign Affairs, Education and their staff, the Minister of Culture of Guinea Bissau, Ambassadors of Ghana and South Africa, former Venezuelan Ambassadors to The Gambia, Vice Chancellor of the University of Venezuela and students from the universities and institutions of learning as well as many others.
At the fair, Mr. Fadera had television appearances and radio talks show during which time he had the opportunity to talk about Mrs. Patience Sonko-Godwin and her works and the culture, geography, history, and cultural heritage of the people of The Gambia and Senegal.
The Sunrise Publishers took the opportunity to present and exchange cultures and also open the gate for other Gambian writers and publishers for future fairs.
In words of appreciation, Mrs. Sonko-Godwin on behalf of the entire staff of Sunrise Publishers thanked the President of Venezuela, His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, the Ambassador of Venezuela to Senegal, Hon. Alejandro Correa, the organisers of the 18th International Book Fair, and all who had played a part in making the event a resounding success and hope for closer cooperation and collaboration in the area of culture between the people of The Gambia and the people of Venezuela.