The Slovenian Book Fair is traditional and the most established book festival in Slovenia. The 32nd edition of Slovenian Book Fair has some boasting figures: an exhibition occupying the 3 floors of the venue, CD Congress Centre Ljubljana, 284 events taking place in 22 halls and 6 open stages, the grand and must-attend event for publishers, booksellers and authors; a pop-up live radio studio broadcasting from the event.
Trade professionals can deepen their knowledge by attending educational events (seminars, symposia). The Slovenian Book Fair is also a feast with live cooking (the famous 24-kitchen chef Rudolf has already been here). Cicifest – a children’s festival, late night opening times, the disadvantaged social groups such as the disabled, prisoners, homeless are included in the programme and visited by members of Slovene Writers’ Association and Slovene Book Fair. Tina Maze, the famed Slovenian skier who has won 26 World Cup races, is also making an appearance, presenting her book aimed at young readers. Special exhibitions focusing on books & arts, always with fil rouge, thematically round the event.
The Fair has opened to the world – this year Italy with internationally renowned authors, opinion makers, is a guest country. We are honored to welcome: Elisabetta Sgarbi, Andrea Tornielli, Franco Berardi – Bifo, Antonio Scurati, Cristina Battocletti, Susanna Tamaro, Paolo Rumiz. And Florence Hartmann, a French journalist, author and human rights activist. From 2000 until 2006 she was official spokesperson and Balkan adviser to Carla Del Ponte, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague.
With 30,000 visitors, the Slovene Book Fair has not reached its limits yet and that the organisers have many more ideas in their pocket. www.knjiznisejem.si, www.cd-cc.si
