Press release jubilee 15th international book fair and literary festival Organized by: Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers and Svět knihy, s.r.o. [BookWorld Ltd.] Main theme: 27 from 27 / Europe in Literature – Literature in Europe The main theme of the fair acknowledges the fact that the Czech Republic is holding the Presidency of the Council of Europe for the first half of this year. This part of the programme presents authors from all twenty-seven countries of the EU, plus countries which are candidates for entry (Croatia and Turkey) and countries outside the EU (Norway, Switzerland). It has been prepared in cooperation with the following partners: participating countries of the Literature Across Frontiers project, centres of literature in the individual countries, and the cultural and literary centres of foreign countries and their embassies operating in the Czech Republic. In appreciation of this theme the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Office of the Government have chosen BookWorld Prague as one of the official accompanying events of the Czech Presidency. The European authors who are guests of the fair will be involved in debates and round-table discussions addressing questions of how European literatures can be promoted within and beyond Europe, what knowledgeable readers know about the literatures of European countries other than their own, new trends in the work of European authors, and the identity of a literary Europe. Extracts from the work of some of the writers invited to the fair will be presented from 6 pm on 13 May, the eve of the fair's opening, as part of the Night of Literature (www.nocliteratury.cz), which is organized by the Czech Centre Prague. This year for the first time it has been possible to arrange the two events so that the authors and times are interconnected: many of the authors whose work will be read in translation, will be present in person at the BookWorld fair and literary festival. This year's fair and its accompanying programme also provide the forum for an extensive presentation of Russian literature; the central exposition Literature and Books from Russia will be supported by the presence of numerous writers and publishers from Russia. The programme of the BookWorld literary festival also includes exhibitions of books and illustrations, films, works of art, and exhibitions on the themes Fantasy and Creativity and Literature and Education, providing a space for the presentation of initiatives in education and creativity and a campaign for the promotion of reading and education. The gastro show Cooking with a Book is a completely new item on the programme; it will give practical examples of how to prepare meals using recipe books and introduce some interesting guests. Prizes awarded at the fair: Jiří Orten Prize (at the fair for the first time; organized by the Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers), Premia Bohemica (Writers' Guild), Map of the Year (Cartographic Society of the Czech Republic), Tourmap (Tourmap Festival and Avant Promotion), Prize of the Academy of SF, Fantasy and Horror, Pince-nez and Little Pince-nez (Worst Translating Achievement Prize - Translators’ Guild), Dictionary of the Year (Association of Translators and Interpreters), Miroslav Ivanov Prize for Non-fiction (Club of Non-fiction Authors), Growing with the Book – We'd Like to Say Thank You for this Book, My Number One Book (BookWorld Ltd. as part of its "Growing with the Book" campaign for the promotion of book-reading – www.rostemesknihou.cz)), School is the Foundation of Life (Writers' Guild) Exhibitors are from the following countries and regions: Austria, the Basque Country, Belgium, Catalonia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Flanders, France, Galicia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, Walloon-Brussels, United Kingdom, Wales Guests of the fair are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam The accompanying programme again includes Book World in Film, the eighth year this series of screen adaptations of works of literature has been held; screenings (a total of 68 films) will take place between 4 May and 17 May at the Ponrepo and Atlas cinemas, the French Institute and the cinema at the exhibition grounds. Book World on the Stage – a series of stage plays (34 performances) produced with the cooperation of theatres across the Czech Republic – will be held for the sixth time, from 14 April to 14 May.
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