Books, authors and stories preserving Serbian culture in Kosovo presented at Belgrade Book Fair

Literary and publishing works from Kosovo are being presented at this year’s 69th International Belgrade Book Fair, organized by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija. Across 279 square meters of exhibition space divided into 11 sections, 21 exhibitors and publishers from Kosovo are showcasing books and promotional materials, including cultural institutions, the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, publishing houses and humanitarian organizations.

The Institute for Serbian Culture in Leposavic, the only multidisciplinary scientific institution operating in Kosovo, is again taking part in the International Belgrade Book Fair this year, presenting its publications, with particular emphasis on its academic journal Bastina.

“We are primarily focused on the study of literature, language, history, art history, ethnology, archaeology, law and political science in Kosovo and Metohija, and in that regard the presentation of our academic journal Bastina is most important to us. In addition, we are promoting publications that are, in a broader contextual sense, connected with Kosovo and Metohija. We also have publications in law and political science dealing with current social and political issues related to Kosovo and Metohija”, Director of the Institute for Serbian Culture Dr Marija Jeftimijevic Mihajlovic told Kosovo Online.

She noted that the latest three issues of Bastina, which has been published continuously for almost 40 years, were presented today. She added that the Institute would mark an anniversary of its establishment next year and that all of its research and publishing activities were therefore being geared toward that major milestone.

She announced that the Institute would tomorrow present a book on literary historian Predrag Palavestra, stressing that the monograph was significant because it represented the first systematic study of an author who had left a profound mark on the history of Serbian literature and Serbian culture as a whole.

“All our attention is focused on current issues concerning the preservation of the cultural heritage of Kosovo and Metohija,” Marija Jeftimijevic Mihajlovic stressed.

Thanks to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, publications from the faculties of the University of Pristina, temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, are also being presented together at the International Belgrade Book Fair.

“This year, librarians from the University of Pristina—from the various university libraries, so to speak—are presenting our publications together in one place. The Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Medicine are all here, and we are all working to promote our university and our departments and, once again, to invite all students to come and visit our stands during the fair. Together, we want to demonstrate that we exist in Kosovo and Metohija, that we are working and making a dedicated effort to become better and more numerous every year,” Ivan Obradovic of the Faculty of Teacher Education said.

Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in North Mitrovica Aleksandra Kostic Tmusic said that the faculty had for years been a leader in publishing activities at the University of Pristina, noting that numerous monographs by her colleagues were on display at the fair.

“The University of Pristina, temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, is here at the Book Fair, and that is a source of great joy for all of us. We all have our own publishing activities. For years, the Faculty of Philosophy has perhaps been the leader in publishing. In addition to numerous monographs by our fellow professors, we also publish the Collection of Papers of the Faculty of Philosophy, a highly ranked journal with excellent classifications in the Ministry’s journal categorization system. This year, we are once again presenting a number of titles, including seven new monographs, which is truly a very good number. We are pleased with the turnout and with people’s response to our university—not only to the Faculty of Philosophy, but to the university as a whole and to our publications. As an institution within the University of Pristina, we are very proud of that,” Kostic Tmusic said.

Jasmina Stoiljkovic, an actress with the National Theatre in Pristina, based in Gracanica, is serving as a promoter at the stand of the Serbian Cultural Club “Serbika” from Gnjilane.

She noted that, in addition to its earlier publications, including Legends and Traditions of Kosovo Pomoravlje and When Gnjilane Burned, about the March 17, 2004 pogrom, Serbika was also presenting the Kosovo Journal of Literature, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

She stressed that visitors to the stand could see some truly unique publications.

“Other Serbika publications are also here, along with wonderful authors from Kosovo Pomoravlje and Kosovo and Metohija. The Obelezja Plus publishing house and the Association of Writers of Kosovo and Metohija are also represented at this stand, and they too can take pride in the wonderful books they have prepared this year,” Jasmina Stoiljkovic said.

Marijan Boltevski from Skopje, one of the exhibitors at the fair, said he was pleased with both attendance and the range of books on offer and expected everyone to be able to find something of interest.

“The turnout is good, and that is what I like most. There are different demographic groups—children, teenagers and families. And, as you would expect, there is something for everyone,” Boltevski said.

Visitor Vladimir Davidovic said that, as a historian, he was primarily interested in history books, which made the stands of publishers from Kosovo particularly interesting to him.

“Yes, it is certainly interesting. Everything is nicely displayed. There are some historical books here. I am a historian, so that is what interests me and what I buy,” Davidovic said.

Boban Vukovic said that he had not yet managed to see everything at the fair, but had already found some offerings worth considering.

“I’m walking around with my daughter to see what is available—a little something for her, a little something for us older people, and so on,” Vukovic said.

One visitor who came to the fair with her young daughter was also pleased with the selection and said she particularly liked the section featuring publishers from Kosovo.

“It’s great, especially since I haven’t been here for quite a long time. It’s really nice. I haven’t yet had a chance to take a closer look, given the young lady here, but it’s really lovely,” she said.

The International Belgrade Book Fair officially opened yesterday and will run through October 31. Around 700 exhibitors are participating, including 300 direct exhibitors. In addition to domestic exhibitors, participants from 14 countries are represented, with Tunisia serving as the fair’s Guest of Honor.