Zagreb Book Festival is an annual event which celebrates and promotes books and their specific power in enriching the human experience. The Festival puts focus on increasing people’s interest in reading, writing and literary communication by making them entertaining and accessible and it puts focus on current social topics, integrating young people into cultural life and getting them acquainted with different ways of cultural expression.
This year’s edition will take place at the Museum of Arts and Crafts, May 22 – 28.
The Festival was launched three years ago with the aim of bringing culture closer to the public and creating a responsible, conscious and open-minded society. The organisers feel that culture and art are not just superstructures and luxuries in people’s lives, but a foundation that motivates critical thinking, empathy and ultimately affects the quality of life, both of individuals and society.
The Festival partners with a new country each year, and this year, due to the unavoidable common historical heritage, exceptional cultural and social influences and a booming artistic scene that combines the traditional and the modern, the Festival’s partner country will be Austria. In order to bring Austrian literature, film, music and social climate closer to the Croatian public, Fragility has been chosen as the theme of the Festival. In today’s world of immediacy and uncertainty, it is fragility that occupies a key position in the works of many artists, as well as in the lives of all of us.
The Festival’s new concept, which will contribute to thinking about contemporary issues through works of art and conversations with some of the most important European intellectuals, will be reflected in evening discussions about our daily fragilities – equality, social systems, dialogues about values, freedom of speech, virtual identities etc. Keeping in mind that curiosity, reflection and responsibility are values which should be adopted as early as possible; the first part of each day will be devoted to children programmes. In addition to literary program, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a live music programme and contemporary films that have become a traditional part of Zagreb Book Festival.
In a time when communication mostly occurs via digital platforms, the Festival’s tangible physical experience has become vital. The Festival is a meeting place for people who share similar interests and values, writers and their audience, a platform to share experiences and to deepen people’s interest in literature, books and reading.
Reading is one of the most important habits in modern life. It contributes to personal growth, deepens your knowledge on various topics, and makes you more open to new ideas, perspectives, lifestyles and worlds. Being exposed to such diversity helps us to understand both ourselves and the world around us better.
As an international literary event, the Festival is proud to work closely with embassies and institutions promoting literature such as the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Zagreb, the Austrian Cultural Forum, Taduki, Norla, Nederlands Letterenfonds, Poetry Ireland, Swedish Arts Council and others.
See the event here.
