Only 35 Books sold at the Lahore Book Fair, Over 1200 Shawarmas Sold from Stalls

Only 35 books were sold at the Lahore Book Fair, while over 1200 shawarmas and 800 biryani plates were bought, sparking conversations about reading culture in Pakistan.

on Oct 23, 2024

35 books sold, 1200 shawarmas at Lahore Book Fair | Frontlist

The recent book fair in Pakistan was more about food than literature. Visitors bought over 1200 shawarmas and 800 plates of biryani, while only 35 books were sold. The enormous interest in food overpowered the event, which aimed to promote literature and culture.

The fair, which took place in Lahore, often called Pakistan's cultural and literary heart, attracted little literary participation. Lahore has a great history as a hub for intellectual and literary objectives and has been the hometown of popular authors like Saadat Hasan Manto and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

However, it has been reported that food was more popular at the Lahore book fair than books, with only 35 books sold compared to over 1200 shawarmas. This low book sales turnout flared social media conversations, with some attributing it to a shortage of reading culture in Pakistan.

Also, the low book sales were attributed to the pricing, as food items were more economical than books. A Reddit user said the price involved book sales, as books were priced at 400 to 500. At the same time, food items like biryani and shawarma were available for around a hundred, making them a better choice for many visitors.