The African Book Trust at the Pop-Up Arcade in Comissioner Street is the non-profit leg of literary organisation and indie bookstore Bridge Books. Started by Griffin Shea in 2016, Bridge Books is the primary partner of what's known as the Johannesburg Literary District – an umbrella for over 60 booksellers in Joburg's City Centre. They donate books to two outdoor libraries (one in Alexandra, another in Soweto, with more to come) and are involved in maintaining the Library Gardens outside of the Joburg City Library. In broad strokes, their efforts are around the continued upkeep of existing city spaces and celebrating everything bookish. From the African Book Trust's base in Comissioner Street, you can join Shea for a guided walk through the inner-city’s literary culture, tracing Joburg’s informal book trade (booking essential).
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