The International Book Fair was opened today at Independence Square in Podgorica, and a formal ceremony was held in front of the fairgrounds shortly after 17 p.m. The fair will last until October XNUMX at Independence Square, where it will gather writers, publishers, translators and lovers of the written word from the region and Europe, all under the slogan "The city breathes books".
Welcoming those present, the spokeswoman of the Secretariat for Culture of the Capital City Jelena Đurđić she said that this very slogan suggests "permeating everyday life with words, imagination, text, knowledge, in fact with literature and culture".
She pointed out that about 70 publishers from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Italy are present at the Fair, as well as 40 accompanying programs that will be realized at different locations - from the Art gallery, through Kuslev's house, the Montenegrin cinema, the Montenegrin National Theater, "Radosav Ljumović" National Library, to Njegoševo Park.
"This cultural network of locations enables all citizens and guests to immerse themselves in the world of books, but also to get to know our vital points of culture. We dedicate the special importance of this year's Fair to children and young people, our most important readers and future creators of the cultural and social environment," Đurđić pointed out. at the opening..
The secretary of the Secretariat for Culture also addressed those present Snezana Tomanović who pointed out that ten years of the event's existence is proof that "the love of books and culture is deeply rooted in our community".
"By joining forces, all of whom knowledge and its precious effects are high on the list of priorities, we contributed to the Fair becoming an important regional review of books and literature, and a meeting place for authors and publishers, writers and readers," she said.
Tomanović also announced that the International Book Fair will be a Book Festival starting next year.
"Thus, we believe, we would further strengthen our mission of popularizing literature, promoting not only writers, but also all aspects of cultural creativity. We expect that the Festival will bring an even richer program and attract even more visitors," said Tomanović, expressing her gratitude to the sponsors - the Ministry of Education, of Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Italian Institute for Culture in Belgrade, as well as the Italian Ambassador to Montenegro Andreini Marseli, and the Embassy of Italy, which is also the sponsor of the Fair.
"In cooperation with them, we will host Lorenzo Marone, one of the most important contemporary Italian writers. His novel 'Blue Feather' will, with the support of the Secretariat, be translated into the Montenegrin language and published in a thousand copies, making it the first translation of that novel into one of the languages of the ex-Yu region," she said.
Svetlana Drobnjak from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation said that "the world of books is the most beautiful world that man has created", and that everything else is fleeting...
"Nothing can replace a book, because it is a treasure whose value becomes greater and more significant over time... The book fair is a place that preserves the book, which emphasizes its value and invites us to pay attention to it at a time when, we must admit, a little neglected. Let's go back to the book, because it deserves it," said Drobnjak.
She announced that the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation in the upcoming period will strive to make "the culture of reading the type of culture that schools will nurture in different ways"...
"Today this Square, and tomorrow let our capital breathe with books," said Drobnjak.
Dobrila Vlahović from the Ministry of Culture and Media (MKM) said that the Book Fair is, among other things, a platform for dialogue, exchange of ideas and cultural connection of people from all over the world, but also a platform for meeting readers, readers and authors.
"Thanks to its international character, the Fair represents a connection between different peoples and cultures, enabling us to better understand life and the world we live in through books," she said at the opening ceremony.
"Through reading, we shape not only the world of literature, but also our own worlds of thinking, emotions and our identity. Fairs serve as a reminder that literature is not only a commodity, but also a medium for culture, exchange and social reflection. Through conversations with writers and readers at book fairs , literature is a shared space of creation, because an author cannot exist without a reader, and every reader is in some way a co-author," Vlahović pointed out.
The Ambassador of Italy in Montenegro, Marcela, said at the opening that the cooperation with the Book Fair has been long and good, and this year they wanted to go one step further and be a kind of host. Thus, at this year's, jubilee 10th edition of the Fair, it will present contemporary Italian literature and every day will have at least one program in its repertoire.
"We also want to draw your attention to literary translation, which is very important, because, as they say, 'a translator is another writer,'" the ambassador pointed out and announced part of the program that is implemented at the Fair in cooperation with them.
Tomović expressed her belief that this year's Fair will be "a center of new thoughts, ideas and experiences when it comes to books and publishing, and that in the first days of October, Podgorica will breathe with books - the most representative expression of the human spirit."
"On behalf of the Secretariat for Culture of the capital of Montenegro, I wish everyone a pleasant and useful time spent at the Fair, with lots of inspiring meetings and conversations," said Tomović.
Humanitarian character
She pointed out that the Fair, in addition to literary, educational and cultural, will also have a humanitarian aspect.
"Each visitor will have the opportunity to donate one or more books to the Children's Hospital or Home of the Old in Podgorica. With this action, we want to show that a book can be a kind of symbol of care, love and attention to others," Tomanović added.
The importance of preserving the literature of small countries and their language
Vlahović reminded that MKM financially supported 2024 projects in the field of literary publishing and 56 in the field of translation through competitions for 13.
"We are actively working to improve library activity in accordance with European standards, striving for our libraries to be key promoters and actors that will facilitate access to books for all ages, especially children," she said and announced that the MKM, in cooperation with experts from the region, will next year to pay special attention to the issue of reading literacy and accessibility of books to everyone.
"I also want to emphasize the importance of preserving the literary creativity of small countries, their language... Our literary works must be translated, presented and recognized in international frameworks, although these paths are often difficult and long. That is why it is our obligation to work with care and effort on that," Vlahović said.
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