Heidi Murphy, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, writes for Culture about why Irish Book Week matters.
Back in 2018, the team at Bookselling Ireland, in collaboration with Publishing Ireland, launched Irish Book Week; our first truly Irish campaign. Ireland has a rich cultural heritage, we are recognised across the globe as the home of some of the world's finest writers, and we wanted to put the Irish bookshops who champion them back in the spotlight.
After the lean years of the recession, and despite relentless, ongoing pressure from both the online giants and deep discounting, Irish bookshops were not just surviving but thriving, all while managing to make a valuable contribution to the Irish economy; we felt this was something worth celebrating.
Irish Book Week was a new nationwide celebration of Irish books and Irish bookshops and our aim was to encourage people to visit their local bookshop, while highlighting the valuable role bookshops play in the fabric of Irish life. To our delight, Irish Book Week was swiftly embraced by bookshops, publishers and authors across the country, from high profile author events and signings, to window and in-store displays, with media coverage to boot. We knew that Irish people love books, but the warmth and affection that was shown for Irish bookshops and booksellers during that first Irish Book Week was clear from the stories and photos that were shared on social media. Irish Book Week gave us a chance to celebrate Irish bookshops, we did so with gusto, and naturally it became an annual event.
Fast forward to 2020 and as we approach our third Irish Book Week, although our focus has, by necessity shifted from one of celebration, to one of solidarity and support, in my opinion it matters more than ever. We are in a new world, one with many challenges, and in the midst of a global pandemic that has battered our economy, we find Irish bookshops under more pressure than ever before.
There have been some chinks of light to come from the Covid-19 crisis, many people have rediscovered their love of books and reading during lockdown, which is wonderful, but the stark reality is that, for many bookshops, sales were lost, not all were able to compete with the race to move online, while those who were have found themselves working twice as hard for less margin. This Irish Book Week we can’t showcase our bookshops in the way we are used to, and while many bookshops have worked tirelessly to embrace a new world of digital events and outreach in order to remain connected to their customers it is no substitute for the days of events and busy, bustling high streets.
2020 has taught many of us the value of community and the importance of supporting local businesses, and so for Irish Book Week 2020 our message is a simple one, we are asking people to celebrate Irish Book Week by shopping with their local bookshop; in person, online or over the phone. This year show your support in a practical way, because shopping with your local bookshop is the most effective way to ensure their survival and success, and that really is something worth celebrating.
Irish Book Week takes place from 17-24 October.
