Positive news about one of the oldest bookstores in the world – Mayor Opara is confident Morpurgo will continue operating from the new school year.
At the time of unplanned tourism development in Split, as well as the financial crisis of certain companies, a number of bookstores closed in the city center. Precisely, the doors to three bookstores closed in Split last year due to the crisis in Algoritam MK. As the palace transformed into a fast food mecca over the years, there has been a neglect of the spiritual and mental nourishment of citizens, reports Dalmacija Danas on June 12, 2018.
The likelihood of this trend should halt with the new mayor of Split, Andro Krstulović Opara, who announced the opening of two bookstores in the city center – Miroslav Krleža and Morpurgo.
“After we managed to find a way for Krleža to operate at the bottom of Pjaca, which will function and I hope reopen its doors in the next few days, I’m determined that the oldest bookstore in Europe to continually function will continue to operate. I will continue to work for the good of the city, the pride of the city and preserve the identity of our city. I am fully convinced that by the end of the summer, we will see the return of this book empire, recalling the great Vision of Morpurgo. A man who has given all his knowledge, power and love for the people of this city and for enlightenment in our city. I’m sure that the Morpurgo bookstore will work before the beginning of the school year,” said Krstulović Opara.
Asked how he solved this problem, Opara answered shortly – “You will hear!”
Opara added that the owner of the publishing house taking over the bookstore would inform the public in due time, and that he was quite optimistic after a series of talks with the publisher.
“This is a logical consequence of killing the city center. Excessive tourism, fast food and, what so many people complained to me about when I said Diocletian’s Palace was a kiosk for cheap beer, has taken its toll. I am determined to change it, I know the way, I know how it is done, and I have people beside me with whom I will reverse this negative direction many cities are facing. We will return life to the city,” concluded Opara.
It is unofficially known if there is interest to open a cafe bookstore on the Morpurgo premises, but it is unofficially known that the Mayor opposes it.
