The 67^th International Belgrade Book Fair Has Begun: The Word is Free

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 6 PM, in Hall 2 of the Belgrade Fair, the cultural momentum of the most prestigious literary event, not only in this part of Europe but also on a broader international scale, was officially set in motion – the 67^th International Belgrade Book Fair.

Under the slogan “The Word is Free,” more than 400 domestic and international publishers, writers, visitors, and other admirers of literature and the universal values of literary creation will be able to enjoy the beauty of words and numerous fair programs in Halls 1, 1A, 2A, and 4 until Sunday, October 27, trying to demonstrate that not only is the word free, it also represents freedom itself.

The Guest of Honor country this year is the Republic of Cuba, which will showcase its tradition and cultural diversity, including works from scientists, writers, poets, and artists. In addition to Cuba, authors from Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republic of Srpska), Greece, Italy, Iran, Congo, Morocco, Germany, Romania, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Croatia, and Montenegro will also present their cultures and literatures.

Formally announcing the opening of this year’s Book Fair, the poet, playwright, and screenwriter, and full professor at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, Milena Marković (Belgrade, 1974), was deeply inspired in capturing the moment in which all this is happening:

“I am fifty years old, and the book fair is sixty-seven. I remember the marvelous dome, the crisp apples, the cotton candy, the burgers, and the scent of picture books. In them, heroes ride winged horses, and suns jump out of the water, only to turn into apples. I want that big book, but they tell me it’s not for me.

At home, all the books in our small apartment begin to fly out of the window, soaring towards the Danube, diving into the water to catch a fish, then along comes the Sava, and once again, the magical dome of the Fair—where books go to sleep and grow until next year, my mom tells me. And sure enough, the next year, I get a book about gods, then a book with poems written by my gods, and every year I come back to breathe in the Sava, winged by everything I’ve carried in my heavy bag. It’s so beautiful when I sit down and open a fragrant book, and it takes me far away from this life.”

What would life be without words? It wouldn’t exist. And what would become of all of us if there were no stories? We wouldn’t be human, but something else. And what if we didn’t remember our stories? We wouldn’t exist. This is the place where writers live—winged and horned—these writers are revealed here. They will write the stories that will make us all survive and grow.

Come here under the magical dome, read books for this sixty-seventh year, and let there be a hundred more. Thank you.”

On behalf of the Guest of Honor country, Miguel Barnet (Havana, 1940), a storyteller, poet, and anthropologist, who has received numerous national and prestigious international awards, greeted the Fair participants.

“Dear colleagues and friends who advocate for Cuba,

I greet all the officials, organizers, intellectuals, writers, and the broader public attending this important event. First of all, I would like to express my respect and gratitude for the recognition of Cuban literature at this significant cultural event.

As a Cuban writer and intellectual, it is a great honor for me to deliver these opening remarks on behalf of the Cuban delegation attending this sixty-seventh edition of the International Belgrade Book Fair in 2024. This event is considered one of the oldest and most important literary spaces in Europe. It stands out as a true meeting point for publishers, authors, booksellers, librarians, and other professionals dedicated to bringing literature closer to diverse reading audiences. This is further enriched by academic and social opportunities through conferences, author meetings, forums, and workshops, which are essential for promoting reading in an increasingly digital world, where we must dream of greater coherence in our promotional strategies to ensure that the magic of books does not fade away.

The literature of your nation dates back to the Middle Ages and is today a point of reference for Latin American and world writers. The historical text Miroslav’s Gospel, one of the most famous for its style and for what it represents in the history of universal literature, had a significant influence on the manuscripts that later appeared in medieval Europe. I recall that during my time as Cuba’s deputy ambassador to UNESCO in 2005, this unforgettable text was inscribed on the ‘Memory of the World’ heritage list.”

Serbian literary culture is enriched by lyrical and epic poems performed with the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments, which have been passed down orally from generation to generation. These texts have become an important symbol of the Serbian people’s identity.

Navigating through the history of Serbian literature in these brief sketches will be a challenge, but I would like to highlight some names that have served as literary references for Latin America, especially in the twentieth century when representatives of Serbian literature gained significant prestige. A notable example is the novelist, poet, and essayist Ivo Andrić, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. Other prominent figures include the writer and academic Meša Selimović, the novelist and literary theorist Danilo Kiš, the writer and politician Dobrica Ćosić, and one of the most renowned contemporary authors, the recently deceased Goran Petrović, to name just a few universally recognized names.

Diplomatic and cultural relations between the peoples of Serbia and Cuba are historic and hold great potential in the context of the global village that our world has transformed into. This very intersection of our literary creations exemplifies the creative exchange that we have always based on mutual respect and solidarity.

This sister nation has been visited by the Supreme Commander Fidel Castro, the legendary commander Ernesto Che Guevara, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of Cuba and First Secretary of the Communist Party of our island Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power Esteban Lazo Hernández, and other Cuban leaders.

The socio-cultural relations between the two countries are becoming closer with the signing of cooperation agreements that promote various artistic manifestations, such as theater, music, dance, cinema, visual arts, libraries, museums, and literature. The presence of a group of Cuban writers and intellectuals, led by poet and Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso Grau, here today at the sixty-seventh International Book Fair is a sign of mutual commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural identities of both countries. We hope these relations will strengthen the truly friendly ties between Havana and Belgrade.

Dear colleagues, friends, the Serbian language illustrates the most original literary expressions of a people who have built their identity in this unique region between the East and the West. This has led to a high level of poetic sensitivity, as well as an impressive academic standard. In its most diverse expressions, Serbian culture enjoys global recognition, making it difficult for me to choose just one theme from this rich and powerful identity corpus.

For this reason, as I look at the letters that illuminate this International Fair with their sublime light, allow me to conclude with the words of the greatest Cuban poet and revolutionary, one of the founders of literary modernism and the apostle of our independence, José Martí, who wrote: “Letters are like a generous mother on whose lap the passing quarrels of her children are soothed (…) It is necessary for the soul to bleed beneath the letters…” because in the end, as the most famous Cuban also wrote, “the great works of letters have always been expressions of great times… whoever knows letters, will be just.”

With these words, Cuban culture wishes to express its gratitude to the noble representatives of this universal celebration of literature. Thank you very much.”

At the most visited book fair in the region, traditional participants will include numerous foreign and the largest domestic publishers, as well as writers, theorists, editors, art editors, translators, critics, librarians, and others. During the nine days of the fair, readers will have the opportunity to update their libraries with the latest titles from domestic and international publishing houses at fair prices, as well as with timeless classics of Serbian and world literature and antique books.

A rich accompanying program will take place in presentation halls and at the exhibitors’ stands.

In Hall 1, visitors can find domestic publishers whose primary activity is publishing (exclusively with their own publications). Hall 2A hosts foreign exhibitors, national presentations, publishers of educational and professional literature, as well as the guest of honour of the Belgrade Book Fair—the Republic of Cuba. Hall 4 features both domestic and foreign publishers, state institutions (ministries, libraries), and publishers in the fields of religion and theology, as well as distributors. The gallery in Hall 4 is intended for the sale of used and antiquarian books. Traditionally, the rooms in Hall 1A are reserved for various programs.

The program segments at the Book Fair are thematically organized. In addition to the presentations of authors from Cuba and programs organized by publishers and exhibitors, a large number of panels will be held over the nine days of the fair, focusing on domestic and foreign poetry and prose, translation, critical and theoretical thought, publishing, new book formats, and piracy in the digital environment.

International guests of the Program will include Tony Parsons (United Kingdom), Nataša Rogelja (Slovenia), and David Unger (Guatemala, USA). Publishers will also host well-known international guests at their stands and within their individual programs.

The program segment “A Thousand Whys,” dedicated to literature for children and young adults, will take place in the “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj” hall. It will provide the youngest visitors with the opportunity to participate in unique workshops led by our most esteemed children’s authors, who will guide them on how to write a poem or a story. These programs will take place starting at 3 PM.

The program segment dedicated to poetry is titled “Songs of the Sun,” after the poetry book by Jovan Dučić. The programs will take place in the “Vasko Popa” hall starting at 4 PM, featuring poets from various generations. They will discuss topics significant to contemporary poetry and poetry translation. Within the program, several of our esteemed poets will share their new verses.

The program segment “Atlas Described by the Sky” is named after the novel by the prematurely deceased writer and academic Goran Petrović. One of the programs will be specifically dedicated to his work. This segment will feature both our writers and guests from the Book Fair abroad. These programs will begin at 5 PM.

“Suspicious Character” is a program segment named after the comedy by Branislav Nušić, marking the 160^th anniversary of his birth. The panels will address problematic themes, ranging from the relationship between literature and ideology to the (mis)use of artificial intelligence in translation or the internet in promoting literary criticism. These programs will start at 6 PM.

The traditional “School Day” at the 67^th International Belgrade Book Fair will be organized on Thursday, October 24. School Day is intended for organized visits from students, teachers, school librarians, students, and professors. Publishers are preparing special programs for School Day aimed at younger and older schoolchildren, and their teachers and lecturers.

Family Visiting Days are Monday and Tuesday, October 21 and 22. During this time, the whole family can visit this event with one family ticket.

Once again this year, the Book Fair will honor outstanding achievements in the publishing industry with a variety of awards across multiple categories. These include Publisher of the Year, Publishing Venture of the Year, Children’s Book of the Year, an award for publishers from the Diaspora and the Region in the Serbian Language, Special Recognition for Contributions to Science, Special Recognition for a Publisher, Book, or Comic, the “Bogdan Kršić” Award for the Most Beautiful Book, the Award for the Most Beautiful Children’s Book, and Special Recognition for Young Designer… All participating publishers from Serbia (except for the award for publishers from the diaspora) automatically compete for the awards simply by participating in the event.