Monday, October 31, 2011

Belgrade Book Fair 2011 spread over record eight days

Jumbo Editorial Team

The 56th edition of the International Belgrade Book Fair, which concluded on October 30, lasted a record number of eight days. Traditionally it used to be spread over seven days and a day was added to let the book lovers have more time to browse new publications and meet with local and foreign authors.

It is one of the oldest and most important literary events in the Balkan region. It consists primarily of the presentation of domestic and foreign book production and buying and selling of copyrights.

The publishers, booksellers, authors and many others avail the opportunity to make contacts, exchange experiences, do business and achieve cultural cooperation among other things.

The Belgrade Book Fair is reported to be the most visited cultural event in Serbia as people from different walks of life shuttle to find at one place rare or wanted books at special prices but also meet favuorite authors and discover the new ones, attending one of many programmes.

Taking place every autumn in the Balkan’s premier publishing and cultural capital, it is considered a unique opportunity to hear from authors, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore innovations shaping the publishing world of the future.

The Guest of Honour for 2011 was the Portuguese language. In addition to an elaborate exhibition of books in Portuguese, visitors were presented a large number of literary works translated from this language especially for this occasion.

Moreover, many major contemporary authors from Portuguese-speaking countries turned up as the guests of this year's Belgrade Book Fair. In order to further motivate schoolchildren and their families, School Day and the Family Day were also reorganized.

Two musical scores were played at the opening ceremony-This from My Love and Lily Lalauna, composed by Rade Radivojević for the verses written by Ivo Andrić.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture Predrag Marković, former Minister of Culture Nebojša Bradić, City Secretary for Culture Ivana Avžner, the ambassadors of Lusophone countries with embassies and consulates in Belgrade (Angola, Brazil, and Portugal), as well as a large number of writers and other people from cultural circles.

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