Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

51st Belgrade international book fair opens

Belgrade, 24 October 2006

Writer Goran Petrovic and American writer Gish Jen opened this evening the 51st Belgrade International Book Fair that will last until October 30 and gather more than 800 publishers from 21 countries. During the fair, there will be a number of panels, presentations of new books and meetings with writers from all around the world.

Goran Petrovic

Author: Fonet

Petrovic said that if there were no books, the world would be deprived of sentiments and details that have been noted down for thousands of years. However, it is not enough that books exist, they should be opened and read, he added.

He said that it would be terrible for mankind if there were no Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, or if there were no books at the Belgrade fair now.

Gish Jen, who had the honour of welcoming the participants on behalf of the United States, which are the fair's guest of honour this year, voiced satisfaction with the fact that she has had the opportunity to visit Serbia and pointed to all the beauty of literature and the pleasure of reading.

The formal opening was attended by members of the diplomatic corps of the countries that participate in the fair, distinguished figures from political, cultural and scientific circles, as well as a large number of writers. A short movie about Nikola Tesla was screened and a music composition dedicated to great Serbian scientist performed.