Held under the motto “Books open the world”, the fair is organised by the Kosovo Publishers Association with support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Municipality of Prishtina.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the event plays an important role in promoting reading culture.

“A child who reads carefully learns to follow thought to the end and distinguish truth. They learn to ask questions, compare, and not rush to conclusions. They learn that not every statement that sounds certain is true,” Haxhiu said. “A citizen who reads understands news, law, political promises, contracts, history, official documents and their own rights better.”

Now in its 26th edition, the fair is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and hosts 60 Albanian-language publishers presenting around 2,000 new titles. More than 40 events, including book launches and author appearances, are scheduled during the five-day event.

Organisers expect around 30,000 visitors, including students, school pupils, academics, writers and public figures from Kosovo’s cultural and political life.

Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama said each book purchased was not only an investment in the individual but in a freer, more educated and stronger society.

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The opening ceremony was attended by Petrit Ymeri, president of the Albanian Publishers Association; Ina Zhupa, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora; Alda Bardhyli, director of the QKLL; Alessandro Ruggera, director of the Italian Cultural Institute; and acclaimed author Enkel Demi (pen name Tom Kuka) and translator Milena Selimi, last year’s top awardees.

Ymeri praised the quality of contemporary Albanian literature but noted challenges including digital and print piracy, deteriorating libraries, and a declining number of bookstores.

“Albanian publishers have long been part of the European literary scene through translated works and major European projects,” he said.

Zhupa pledged a series of consultations with publishers, translators, booksellers, and writers to address the draft Book Law, emphasizing the need to make literature accessible to readers and support the publishing sector.

The fair, running until November 16, features discussion corners, author talks, and the “Book Sofa” on the second floor of the venue.

This year’s theme, inspired by Albanian literary icon Ismail Kadare, is “Our conscience needs books.” Awards will be presented on November 15.

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This year’s fair features around 100 publishers from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and the diaspora. Publishers are expected to exhibit around 2,000 new titles. The event will be accessible to the public daily from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM.

The fair is held under the motto, “Intelligence Comes from Books.” Distinguished literary and cultural personalities and culture, including Alda Bardhyli, Director of the National Center for Books and Reading, attended the opening ceremony.

“In an era where information is omnipresent yet truth often obscured, the book remains a vital compass guiding us along our intellectual and spiritual journey. This year’s edition stands as a testament that even after a quarter-century, the interest in books endures, revitalized by new formats, emerging authors, and readers increasingly eager for knowledge,” stated Bardhyli, who also called upon participants to avail themselves of this occasion to deepen cultural dialogue and reinforce intergenerational bonds.

The fair’s program includes over 40 activities and coincides with significant anniversaries, which will be commemorated through events, discussions, and book launches, featuring special guests and authors from across Europe.

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The book fair aims at promoting literature, authors and new books by creating a platform that brings together readers and publishing houses that showcase an array of new titles.

Many publishing houses from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia participated in the event, with history, philosophy and art books on offer.

The event also fosters cultural cooperation among countries in the region and common cultural values through books.

A number of titles from the Academy of Science are being showcased at the Book Fair in Tuz.

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The Embassy said that a series of 15 events will be held in the Traduki Kafana on April 27 to 30.

In its stand at the Leipzig Book Fair, Albania will be represented by the best collection of 100 books of Albanian literature and authors who have been acclaimed locally and internationally last year.

Literary activities will focus on recognizing promising young authors who have been awarded important literary prizes.

In collaboration with Traduki, the author Lindita Arapi will present her book “Albanian Sisters” and Arian Leka will introduce his book entitled “Closed Door.” Lindita Arapi is an Albanian writer and journalist living in Germany. In 2011, her first award-winning novel “The girls with the key around their neck” was awarded the Book of the Year Prize in Albania.

Arian Leka is an Albanian poet and essayist who has been awarded several literary prizes.

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