Contemporary literature of a great and polycentric European language – German, gathered four countries at the Book Fair this year – Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. The writers and publishers from these countries will present to the visitors in the next seven days about a thousand books of contemporary authors, among them even 350 tiles as premiere.
During the Book Fair, Serbia will be visited by more than 20 prominent authors for children and adults – Herta Müller, Karl-Markus Gauss, Marcel Beyer, Wladimir Kaminer, Jan Wagner, Volker Kutscher, Ingo Schulze, Arno Camenisch, Dana Grigorcea, Melinda Nadj Abonji, Jonas Lischer, Teresa Präauer, Valentin Gröbner, Lutz Rathenow and Kathrin Röggla are just some of the authors who will feature to Belgrade audience.
The program Four Countries, One Language will be involved, among others, in the relation between the voices, sounds and languages, the writers who create using different language registers, those connecting music and language and those writing in two or more languages. Special topics will be translation, literature as the link between countries, the system of awards and social recognitions, book fairs, residential programs and creating colonies, the importance of social and political engagement in the contemporary literature in German language.
Through the amusing and educational program, interactive workshops, reader clubs, lectures, playrooms and performances, creation for children and youth will be separately presented.
Program for Monday, October 23
“Ricco, Oscar and Secret Shadows” is the title of the creative workshop from the Children’s Corner for the 4th and 5th class pupils of primary school, led by Jasminka Petrović i Bojana Lukić, at 11.00 – 12.00 a. m.
The Unusual Geography begins at noon, the program presenting the participating countries and their less known specific characteristics. The attendees are H.E. Mr. Axel Dittmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Johannes Eigner, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Philippe Guex, Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia and the Representative of Lichtenstein.
Under the title “The Cruel Tango”, Nebojša Barać will talk to Herta Müller since 3,00 p. m.
At the Plateau “Crnjanski”, at 4.00 p. m. the program “Goodbye Moscow” begins – discussion with Wladimir Kaminer.
“Literature is Obsessive” is the topic Marcel Beyer will talk about at 5.30 p. m.
Today’s Guests of Honor Program ends outside the Fair – in the Yugoslav Drama Theater, at 8.00 p. m. It will be the evening with Herta Müller – The Logic of 29th February. The texts will be read by the actress Mirjana Karanović.
