The 21st Book Fair(y) in Istria with its theme Island – Ghetto – Asylum is launching a discussion about the recent ghettoization of the freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and the contemporary positions of migrants, asylum and asylum seekers, as well as island as the utopian place and a paradigm of poetic and literary space. More than ever, unfortunately, the Fair(y) will focus on the present moment. We say ‘unfortunately’ because of those who are walking and whose eyes are fixed upon the promised land of Europe as a place of shelter and hope, but are welcomed by the Fortress Europe, more resilient than ever. Europe has today, with its new order, become an island, and with Lampedusa in the south and western Balkan route on the east also a place of utopia and dystopia. The 21st Fair(y) will launch many discussions and debates about the issues the so-called present-day global world is facing. Although it is meant as a space for better life, this world is below the surface only a swamp full of unresolved issues, including the issues of identity, related to violence and the need to belong. Factually and historically this led to the construction of ghettoes which we are, true, ashamed of, but have never mentally and actually erased.
The Fair(y) will gather many Croatian and foreign writers, comic book authors, scholars and culture scientists who will present their latest works and discuss from the literary, poetic, philosophical, anthropological, political and legal point of view about the central theme.
Book F(or)ever– a programme for high schoolers
This year’s edition will particularly focus on high school population. A programme intended for them, called Book F(or)ever, contains Q&A’s with authors, vibrant discussions, tours of Fair(y) exhibitions and HRT’s cinema, with a special theme stall offering a selection of books, comics, graphic novels and turntable records for the young population.
Regional focus
City of Belgrade’s cultural and art scene will be presented as a special regional section this year, under the name Belgrade Reads. More than 10 Belgrade-based writers and artists will take part in this multimedia programme encompassing Belgrade’s publishing, literary, scholarly, illustration and comic book, music and film scene.
Art & Music at the Fair(y)
Collaboration with Pula’s Art & Music festival which has been promoting music and comics as the central focal points of the festival ever since its establishment (1993) was natural and spontaneous. A good music line-up and comic book workshops by Art & Music are the interesting novelties of this year’s Fair(y) edition.
Comic book literature at the Fair(y)
We are continuing with the promotion of comic book literature and again organising presentations of comic and graphic novels, meetings with local and international comic book authors, as well as panel discussions encompassing all the aspects of the Fair(y) theme, along with those authors whose works focus on the freedom of speech, political activism and social criticism.
Populart – a programme for high schoolers
This year’s edition will particularly focus on high school population. A programme intended for them, called Populart, contains Q&A’s with authors, vibrant discussions, tours of Fair(y) exhibitions and HRT’s cinema, with a special theme stall offering a selection of books, comics, graphic novels and turntable records for the young population.
