13th Book Night: The Best Company
Book lovers see every day as an opportunity to read, but there is also one day which is dedicated to it. Zagreb will celebrate it again this year the way it deserves!
Everybody who reads agrees that books are their best friends and a never-ending source of knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment. 23 April is dedicated to books, authors, and readers; the day celebrated as the World Book and Copyright Day and Croatian Book Day. This is also an occasion to organise book-inspired programmes for fans of reading and written word to gather in bookstores, antiques shop, libraries, and educational institutions. However, on this day, books also “leave” their usual habitats and are read in streets, public transport, airports etc. This will happen again this year when books will be celebrated for the thirteenth time in various programmes, both in live gatherings and events and online, on social media.
This year’s Croatian Book Night is marked by several important anniversaries: 500th anniversary of the death of the “father of Croatian literature”, Marko Marulić, 150th years since the birth of world-renowned children’s author Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, the centenary of the death of one of the most influential European writers Franz Kafka, and 70th anniversary of the publication of the Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
In this period, a special promotion in retail stores entitled “Books to everyone, everywhere” will continue in almost all bookstores across Croatia and in online shops. From 23 to 28 April books will be available at special prices.
As a cultural and university centre, Zagreb is a city of many bookstores offering works of Croatian and foreign authors as well as a selection of publications in foreign languages.
Numerous new titles in bookshops and libraries in Zagreb, an increase in number of readers and an exceptional interest in specialised fairs are a proof that books remain best friends to all generations. Their importance, after slight stagnation, is growing once again.