By Our Reporter
Have you ever stopped to reflect on the importance of a book in our daily lives?
A book is more than just words on paper; it is an art form, carrying vivid images and truths that an author wants readers to experience. Through writing, artists capture reality, preserving life’s essence in ways that continue to live on in the hearts of many.
At the second day TAFFA 2025 Film Festival, Tanzanians were reminded of the profound role books play in shaping society. During a special session, Hermes, representing African Proper, stressed that books are not only sources of entertainment but are also pillars of intellectual property, carrying the heritage of human achievements, identity, culture, and history.
“A book embodies intellectual property, the successes of people, and is a vital sector for preserving knowledge of human dignity, culture, lifestyle, and heritage,” Hermes emphasized.
The three-day festival, organized under the supervision of the Tanzania Film Board, features unique exhibitions and continuous workshops for artists and stakeholders in the film sector.
The expert further explained that neglecting the culture of reading books weakens a nation’s historical continuity, ultimately depriving it of genuine freedom and sustainable progress across generations.
“This weakness undermines our culture, oral traditions, and knowledge, leaving us dependent on history written elsewhere,” he added.
With its focus on the interconnectedness of books, films, and storytelling, TAFFA 2025 continues to encourage Tanzanians to embrace reading not just as a personal practice but as a collective responsibility to safeguard the nation’s intellectual and cultural independence.