The long queue for the CBN 122 collective building in Roden is obvious: this year too, the Roder Book Market can expect many enthusiasts. This morning the starting signal for the two-day market was given, although the ‘opening act’ had to be adjusted.
Raphael Ayambila, from Ghana, was supposed to open the market, but did not receive a valid visa in time. For 27 years, the proceeds from the market have gone to projects in Northern Ukraine and the so-called ‘Ghana Working Group’. “Projects are being set up through the Ghana Working Group that mainly focus on improving living conditions for women in that country,” says Arie van Klei, chairman of the Roder Book Market.
Because Ayambila wanted to see how money was raised for those projects in Roden, he would fly over. But the opening act of the market fell apart because he did not have the correct papers. “He had forgotten to put an end date on his visa, which is why the Dutch government is afraid that he would not return to Ghana,” says Van Klei.