Inaugural Pannonian Book Festival opens in Osijek

(Photo: Osiijek.hr)

ZAGREB, 24 May (Hina) – The 1st Pannonian Book Festival, organised by the Association of Publishers and Booksellers of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), was officially opened in Osijek on Wednesday.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek said that this was a project conducive to all efforts to promote reading.

During the term of the current government, over 20 new bookshops have been opened in Croatia, she added.

The government has also funded the opening of new libraries and the upgrade of old ones, she added.

(Photo: Osiijek.hr)

The head of the Association of Publishers and Booksellers, Slavko Kozina, said that the state of affairs in the publishing sector had improved.

The festival, which will end on 28 May, will focus on writers and topics related to the Pannonian region and Central Europe. It is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Media, Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek.

The organisation cost €120,000, and admission to all events will be free.

(Photo: Osiijek.hr)

“I thank the minister for the initiative to hold the Pannonian festival in Osijek. When the minister came up with this initiative a year ago, we wholeheartedly accepted to be the sponsor of this book festival, and I think it is extremely important for Osijek. Osijek is progressing in every segment, both economically and culturally. We are also planning the renovation of the Croatian National Theatre, we are building a concert hall with the great help of the Ministry of Culture, OLJK is growing from local to regional frameworks and this year all programs will be absolutely free. We raise the culture in Osijek to a higher level, and it is the Pannonian Book Festival that gives it significance. We have more than 50 different programs here. I am especially happy to see a large number of children and young people, for whom this festival is intended, because the slogan itself says “Read lega, read”. I am sure that this festival will grow into a tradition that Osijek, as the urban centre of eastern Croatia, deserves,” pointed out the mayor of Osijek, Ivan Radić.