"There is no better purpose for a square, nor a better opportunity to magically transform it into a forum where writers and readers will meet, face to face, eye to eye to examine together the power, influence and meaning of the written word, in the electrified triangle of writing, reading and loading", said writer and director Vida Ognjenović last night at Belavista, opening the 14th book fair Trg od knjije in Herceg Novi.
She stated that reading is "one of the ways to recognize worlds, because someone established that every book is one version of the world, just like every person is one version of a book", said Ognjenović.
"Beware of the man of one book - Thomas Aquinas warned us a long time ago, refraining from even saying that it was the Bible as an excuse. To follow only one doctrine, and without knowledge and comparison, to deny everything else, leads, as we know, to a dangerous narrowing of the vision and restriction of freedom", said Ognjenović.
"Borges wrote that he wishes every man, especially a writer, a long life that libraries have." I believe that his comparison came from the knowledge that the library is eternal. The indestructibility of the library, despite the wear and tear of the material, is best confirmed by the Alexandrian library, which over the millennia suffered many plagues and human plagues, each of which could have been fatal. Loyal readers saved her with their insatiable need for her," concluded Ognjenović.
The audience and participants of the book fair were also greeted by the president of the municipality, Nataša Aćimović.
The first program of this year's "Book Square" was dedicated to the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. An inspiring lecture entitled "What is Shakespeare to us, or us to him?" was held by prof. Dr. Zorica Bečanović - Nikolić, author of the books "In Search of Shakespeare", "Shakespeare Behind the Mirror" and "Hermeneutics and Poetics", who deals with Shakespeare's work in the context of the European Renaissance and contemporary interpretations in her teaching and scientific research.
Irfan Mensur performed the monodrama "Actor, say something funny" which he himself directed.
"The theater is something that should warn you, pinch you so it doesn't wake you up," the actor stated after the performance.
Bonus video: