Scheduled to run 7 days, demand was so great at the online version of the Manila International Book Fair that the event is now to run for 41 days.
When the organisers of the Manila International Book Fair, the biggest cultural event in the Philippines, decided to pivot to digital this year, it was in response to extreme circumstances. Like so many book fair organisers around the world, embracing digital was not a big part of their strategy, but needs must.
And like many book fair organisers around the world who hesitantly went down the digital path – the 41st event was initially scheduled for September 16 to 20 at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay, Manila and expecting 160,000 visitors – they have been pleasantly surprised. So much so in the case of the Manila event that the online substitute fair, initially scheduled to run only November 24-30 –
will now continue through until January 3.
Follow the Manila International Book Fair Online on Facebook, YouTube and twitter: @ManilaBookFair.
