Booksellers in Belgium
Does the advent of e-books mean the demise of real books printed on paper? The digital counterpart of the book might be the latest electronic gadget, but for the devoted book lover, e-books will never be able to replace a real book on real paper. The smell and feel of paper is carved into our memory and appeals to our sense of nostalgia. The numbers of both visitors and books sold during the largest book fair in Antwerp are living testimony to the enduring power of the physical book. Bookshops, too, still thrive and libraries still draw many visitors. There are numerous campaigns encouraging reading. In bookshops and primary schools, as well as in libraries, parent-helpers regularly come in to read to children so that they will continue to appreciate a real book on real paper. And these types of campaigns are very successful!
