Books become a refuge in the reader's utopia, and at book fairs we find a way to books, a way through the transformation of reality which becomes stronger than reality, said Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović opening the 18th International Podgorica Book and Education Fair yesterday.
The solemn ceremony in the Music Center of Montenegro was attended by numerous figures from the public life of Montenegro, and then the stand of France was opened, which is the country of honor this year. This officially started the program of the 18th Book Fair in the garage of the "Big Fashion" shopping center, where it will be open until May 17.
"I would like the books to be displayed in a nicer place, which, unfortunately, was not possible this year. I will say though, book lovers will go wherever the book calls - to the park, chamber, fair or parking lot. This year's International Podgorica Fair, under the motto 'Read, be a classic', highlights the importance of reading through the historical continuum. The slogan not only promotes the values of reading, but also puts it in the center of attention in the age of the third industrial or digital revolution," Vujović pointed out.
She wished that we all be inspired by words, that our works be guided by the noble ideas of the classics, that the book changes us for the better and brings us back to ourselves...
"In words there is salvation and guidance... 'Be a classic' means be a man of knowledge, dedicated to virtues, have a good foundation. The book has existed throughout the ages and is the essence of human existence, the bearer of the entire history and experience of mankind, as well as visions and ideas for the future," added Minister Vujović.
The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, who also addressed the audience, agrees with this. She pointed out that the Book Fair is one of the biggest cultural events in our country that traditionally brings us together to celebrate the true values "that are and must remain the foundation of every society"...
"It is particularly challenging, but also very important, to preserve and promote the love of the book as an important part of our cultural and civilizational heritage, but also as the foundation of the future development of humanity... Today is the right opportunity to pay tribute to all those authors who marked with their words era in the past, but also to encourage those whose beauty of the written word we will enjoy in the future and who will make this world a more beautiful and smarter place for all of us to live", said Jakšić Stojanović.
The director of the "Nova knjiga" publishing house, as the founder of the event, Predrag Uljarević, said that by founding the Book Fair, they decided to fight for readers, because books always need new generations of readers. In addition to the rich program in which more than a hundred publishing houses and about 200 literary authors, critics, and publishers participate, Uljarević pointed out that he is particularly glad that this year the tradition of the country of honor has continued and that it is France.
The Ambassador of France in Montenegro, Anne-Marie Maske, said that France will present its authors, translators, publishers, distributors, as well as all those who are connected with the book in various ways.
"Our history was written in books and through books. But that does not make it a thing of the past. The book managed to withstand the challenge of time and technological achievements", she said, and the French writer Jean-François Galt also addressed the audience.
"Considering that we live in a moment, in a moment, it is increasingly difficult to open a book, because it requires time. I think it is very important to teach young people the habit of reading, and I often say that we don't really know how to read. Reading is not just letters, words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, it is a technique that needs to be learned. Reading is an art," Galtu said.
All of them invited the public to visit the Book Fair, which is open from 10.30:21.30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. Tickets cost two euros, i.e. one euro for students and pupils, while children with their parents enter free of charge.
France is the country's guest of honor at the right moment
At the opening of the French stand, Uljarević pointed out that the visit of France is a great moment and a special honor for the Book Fair.
"I believe that this is the best possible basis for the future cooperation of this Fair with French cultural institutions, publishers and writers", he said and announced the presentation of contemporary French literature and humanities...
Ambassador Maska said that the satisfaction is mutual and that the decision to make France the country of honor comes at the right moment, "because this year is characterized by a new dynamic in bilateral cooperation at all levels, political, economic, cultural".
Writer Nataša Nelević said that the French stand is a kind of synonym of the slogan of this year's Fair - "Read, be a classic". She also pointed out that the two-way literary dialogue is particularly important, and that our authors should be more represented in France.
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