The Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov officially opened the National Stand of Bulgaria yesterday at the Leipzig International Book Fair. In addition to a large audience, several Bulgarian publishers and translators were present at the event.
Bulgaria was given the word in the capacity of the youngest member of Traduki, the oldest organization member of Slovenia.
In his speech at the opening, Minister Todorov said that it was an honour for Bulgaria to be part of the large family of Traduki – an international project using a multilateral and multinational approach that looks not only at the exchange of German literature and that of Southeast European countries but and to literary exchange within Southeast Europe.
“Since its establishment, the European Literary Network has supported the publication of Bulgarian authors in German-speaking countries and Southeast European countries, enabling readers from Bulgaria and abroad to become familiar with the achievements of our national literature,” Minister Todorov said.
He appreciated our joining as the official partner of Traduki in 2018. as a massive step for Bulgaria, which has enabled us to participate even more fully in this so-important and critical mission that the network has undertaken. Minister Todorov hoped the country would return to this prestigious fair permanently.
The Bulgarian Minister of Culture said that the word she uttered yesterday at the opening of the Fair by Russian author Maria Stepanova sounded highly vivid, and in which she was adamant that violence harms human life in any plan.
“Our idea to show the books of some of the most worthy representatives of our literature at the Bulgarian stand is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the German public, as well as all guests and literary professionals at the Leipzig Fair, with the power of speech and the beauty of contemporary Bulgarian literature,” added the Minister of Culture.
According to him, the support of book translations and publishing, resident programs, literary festivals, writers and translators mobility programmes, and the promotion of the best achievements of literature from Southeast Europe bring closer to one goal – to build a community united in its diversity, in sharing ideas and inspiration, where together we develop peaceful future.
Another critical topic Minister Todorov talks about is encouraging young people to read. In this regard, he stressed that the example that adults set is significant.
In conclusion, Minister Todorov quoted Nobel Prize winner Elias Kanetti, born in Bulgaria: “The task of the writer is to try to keep the passage between people open. “. “Let’s keep these passages always open between us!” “, was the wish Minister Todorov sent to the organizers, participants and guests of the Fair and Bulgarian National Booth.