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Francuska je ove godine počasni gost Međunarodnog beogradskog sajma knjiga, koji traje od 21. do 29. oktobra

France is this year’s Guest of Honour of the International Belgrade Book Fair, which runs from 21 st to 29 th October

Belgrade Book Fair The best season for all booklovers Nothing smells quite as magical in Belgrade in late October as the pages of newly printed books at the international festival of literature

Plan to be in the Serbian capital in late October and to visit the kingdom of literature dur- ing a week that is circled in the calen- dars of Belgraders each year as one of those events that you simply cannot wait to arrive. Even if you’re not a lit- erature fanatic, you will find some- thing irresistible in the millions of vibrant covers, in the smell of fresh pages, in the people navigating their way through the stands holding lists of desired editions, leafing enthu- siastically through newly released books. It all began at the Zagreb Fair, way back in 1956, under the patron- age of Josip Broz Tito. That inaugu- ral book fair was attended by many greats of Yugoslav literature, includ- ing Ivo Andrić and Miroslav Krleža, to name just two. The very next na- tional book fair was held in Belgrade in 1957 – upon completion of the fair’s modern halls, and very quickly earned its epithet as an iconic event. Today considered the largest meet- ing place for publishing professionals from around the world, each year it hosts the most important domestic and foreign writers and publishers. Adding the most beautiful fla- vour to proceedings are the fair’s guests of honour, who present their national literature over a large area, and this year it will be France present- ing the aromas and flavours of its lit- erature at a large stand in Hall 2A of the Belgrade Fair. The French pres- entation programme is being organ- ised by the French Institute in Serbia, which will “relocate” its headquarters to the fair for the occasion, in order

Sajam knjiga održava se krajem oktobra, a doma in mu je od svog osnivanja Beogradski sajam The book fair is held in late October and has been hosted by the Belgrade Fair since its inception

to provide visitors with an opportu- nity to familiarise themselves with its multitude of activities. The delegation of French writ- ers who are set to visit our capital comprises: Pierre Assouline, Tony Va- lente, Susane Aillot, Florence Aub- ry, Félix Le Bars, Patrick Besson, Jean-Christophe Buisson, Pascale Delpech, Mathias Enard, Isabelle Fie- meyer, Jean-François Galletout, Ju- lia Cagé, Catherine Cusset, Florence Noiville, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Christel Peticollin, Thomas Piketty, David Rochefort… et al. A partnership between French and Serbian publishers will enable the exhibiting and selling of books in French at the stand, but also trans- lations of French works to Serbian, many of which have been published with the support of the French gov-

ernment. In addition to this, the French stand will also feature titles of publishing company Noir sur Blanc, which is a significant partner of the Belgrade Book Fair that also publish- es French translations of Serbian and regional writers. In the build up to this year’s Book Fair, we spoke with a couple of relevant French authors who will be guests of Belgrade and who have distinguished themselves and been recognised worldwide for their ex- ceptional work as authors.

Tekst / Words: Sonja A. Filipović Fotografije / Photography: Profimedia.rs, Depositphotos

Books » Knjige | 37

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