International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books

The International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books, often referred to as The Black Book Fair, was inaugurated in London, England, in April 1982 and continued until 1995, bringing together a number of Black publishers, intellectuals and educationalists. It was held on 12 occasions: annually from 1982 to 1991, and then biannually in 1993 and 1995. The first three Book Fairs took place in different areas of London — Islington, Lambeth and Acton — representing the respective bases of the three founding organisers: New Beacon Books, Race Today Publications and Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications. Additionally, from 1985, there were associated book fairs held elsewhere in England, in Manchester (1985–91, 1995) and Bradford (1985–93), Leeds (1993, 1995), and in 1993 and 1995 in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1987 and 1988, a sister event — the Caribbean Peoples International Bookfair and Bookfair Festival — took place in Trinidad, organised by the Oilfields Workers Trade Union there.

The ethos of the Book Fair was "to mark the new and expanding phase in the growth of radical ideas and concepts, and their expression in literature, politics, music, art and social life."

The idea for an annual book fair was mooted in discussions after an event at the Commonwealth Institute in 1979 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding by Jessica and Eric Huntley of Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications; described as a "cultural extravaganza", it featured a variety of performers, poets, drummers, dancers and musicians, including Misty in Roots, Keith Waithe, Cecil Rajendra, Linton Kwesi Johnson and others. Its success demonstrated "the potential for an event on this scale taking place in different parts of London and the UK on a regular basis", and the suggestion of an annual book fair was later developed and eventually implemented.

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