The Book Fair Board has on the meeting held on the 7th of October this year stated the common position of the publishers’ association regarding the non-existence of the necessary conditions for the successful realization of the 65th International Belgrade Book Fair.
At the same time, the Book Fair Board states that the founder, the Belgrade Fair management and the Book Fair Board have done everything in order to realize the Book Fair, for the sake of continuity and importance of the Book Fair on the cultural map of Serbia and the Region. Regarding this the Board states that it suggested in June that the Book Fair takes place in September, correctly predicting the possible obstacles for the realization of the Book Fair in October. That suggestion, although firstly accepted from the publishers had been changed, and the Fair was on their request returned to the October term.
The City of Belgrade, the Fair management and the Book Fair Board were ready to hold the Book Fair in the existing epidemiological circumstances – with the vaccinated and those with the negative test visiting and also provide a free entrance who would receive their first vaccine during the Book Fair, as a form of immunization support and success of the event and to subsidize 50% of the exhibition space expenses.
The Board understands the position of publishers, but from the collegial point it believes that the release of any group and prejudging the decision of the Belgrade Book Fair Board does not contribute to the event.
We mention this, because we will certainly, when the conditions become acceptable for everyone, organize the Book Fair.
Book Fair Board
