The Warsaw International Book Fair is the largest meeting of book writers, publishers and readers in Central and Eastern Europe, a prime event for the presentation of the newest in literary and publishing achievements.
The FAIR's guest of honor this year will be Russia.
"The newest offerings, meetings with Russia's most popular authors, even a presentation of national cuisine – these are just the most important attractions that Russia has prepared for the International Book Fair. During events spanning from late morning to late evening, over a period of four days, visitors will have an opportunity to participate in panel discussions, learn about the works of Russia's masters of the pen, and meet the writers themselves during literary meetings.
Several dozen Russian publishers will also be coming to Warsaw. Exhibitors from the country have reserved over 1500 square meters at the FAIR's main venue – the Palace of Culture and Science. This will indubitably be the largest exhibition organized to date by any guest of honor.
The FAIR will offer visitors many opportunities to familiarize themselves with Russian bestsellers of recent years as well as a number of unique books. The latter will include a copy of the 'Sonety Krymskie' / 'Crimean Sonnets' bearing a dedication by Adam Mickiewicz and the incunabulum 'Oktoich' - the first Russian book, dating from the 15th century, printed in Cyrillic at a Slavic printing house in Krakow.
The Russian presentation as the Guest of Honor at the Warsaw International Book Fair will be titled 'Russia - Discovered Anew.' "
Polish famed writers have already confirmed their participation in the Book Fair -
Jerzy Pilch,
Antoni Libera and
Janusz Glowacki among others. New books of
Hanna Krall,
Andrzej Stasiuk and
Pawel Huelle are being prepared especially for the Fair.
Selected events:
The Libera-Pilch meeting - interest is mounting in a debate that is scheduled to involve two of Poland's premiere writers -
Antoni Libera and
Jerzy Pilch.
Meeting with
Ingmar Villqist - devoted to the author's celebrated debut novel ARCHIPELAG WYSP PINGWINICH / ARCHIPELAGO OF THE PENGUIN ISLANDS. Organized by Sic! Publishers, the meeting with this most controversial and most often produced of Polish playwrights will be hosted by writer and journalist Remigiusz Grzela. Prominent art critic and curator Anda Rottenberg is also scheduled to participate. The organizers contend that, as a result, the meeting will not only pertain to Ingmar Villqist's novel but also span into the topic of art's struggle with ideology in contemporary Poland.
Olga Tokarczuk cover presentation - Wydawnictwo Literackie (Literary Publishers) announced that it would present the cover design for the newest book by Olga Tokarczuk during the 49th WIBF. Titled OSTATNIE HISTORIE / RECENT HISTORIES, the book is scheduled for publication in the fall of this year.
Olgierd Budrewicz in Micronesia - presentation of the newest book in the "Na krance swiata" / "To the Edges of the World" series (National Geographic). In DRUGA STRONA KSIEZYCA / THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOON, the most recent of his reportages, Olgierd Budrewicz writes about his journey last year to the islands of Micronesia.
Krakow's a5 Publishers will organize a meeting with
Hanna Krall to mark the publication of her newest book, WYJATKOWO DLUGA LINIA / AN EXCEPTIONALLY LONG LINE.
a5 Publishers has also scheduled the premiere of the newest edition of
Stanislaw Baranczak's OCALONE W TLUMACZENIU / SALVAGED IN TRANSLATION especially for the FAIR.
Selection of
Zbigniew Herbert's poetry - one of the FAIR's special events, also announced by a5 Publishers, will be the appearance of the largest selection to date of the poetry of Zbigniew Herbert, titled WIERSZE WYBRANE / SELECTED POEMS.
"Salon Berlinski" / "Berlin Salon" – May 21-23, Library of the Goethe Institute in Warsaw, Palace of Culture and Science - the booth of the Association of German Publishers and Booksellers of Berlin-Brandenburg (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels Landesverband Berlin-Brandenburg) will offer information about books published in Berlin. An event of this kind has featured at the International Book Fair in Leipzig for the last twelve years. This year, it comes to Warsaw.
An abundant program of satellite events has also been scheduled. This will include numerous other meetings open to the public, including the following:
The Undervalued Book - a conference on books published in small editions. Meeting with visually impaired poets and writers, and a presentation of publications for this group of readers. Organized jointly by Ars Polona S.A. and the Polish Association of the Visually Impaired, this event follows on those of 2003, which was the Year of People with Disabilities.Biblioteka mlodego Europejczyka / A Young European's Library - meeting promoting a publication series of the same title.Naczelne / Female Chiefs - project organized by the Ksiegarnia i Klub Czuly Barbarzynca (Sensitive Barbarian Bookstore and Club) and Ars Polona. During this meeting, invited female editors-in-chief of some of Poland's largest and most popular women's magazines will present their favorite books. This will be accompanied by an exhibition featuring images of those "female chiefs" who allowed themselves to be photographed with their favorite books.Przybyla z mrozu i inne wiersze oraz romanse rosyjskie (She Came in from the Cold and Other Poems and Russian Romances) – a theatre production featuring music and poetry and focusing on the works of Alexander Blok.
Publishing and literary awards: - Announcement of the nominations for the NIKE LITERARY PRIZE more...
- Announcement of the winners of the Foundation for Polish Culture Honorary Award for the promotion of a Polish book abroad
- Announcement of the winners and awards ceremony in the Most Beautiful Book of the Year competition organized by the Polish Society of Book Publishers
- Announcement of results and awards ceremony of the "Podporiusz" competition for the best non-fiction book
- Announcement of results and awards ceremony for the IKAR / ICARUS Publishing and Bookselling Season Awards
- Announcement of winners of the J. KURYLOWICZ PRIZE for the best translation of a scientific book
Opening hours:
May 20, 2004 (Thursday)
10:00-18:00 (professionals only)
May 21, 2004 (Friday)
10:00-14:00 (professionals only)14:00-19:00 (open to the public)
May 22, 2004 (Saturday)
10:00-19:00 (open to the public)
May 23, 2004 (Sunday)
10:00-17:00 (open to the public)
Organization: Ars Polona
ul. Obroncow 25, 03-933 Warsaw
tel. (+48 22) 826 36 26 (spokesman), 509 86 36 (Foreign Exhibitors' Center)
fax (+48 22) 509 86 30
www.arspolona.com.pl