Skopje, 23 April 2026 (MIA) - A book for me is a treasury that does not store gold and silver, but ideas, knowledge, visions, and hopes. A book does not teach us only to read lines; it teaches us to read and understand the times. A book does not give us knowledge alone; it gives us a measure of wisdom and elevates our character. Those who read gradually acquire the rarest ability - to understand other people, and themselves as well, said President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova in her address Thursday declaring open the 38th edition of the Skopje Book Fair.

In her address, the President further underscored the power of reading.

“A book demands attention, patience, and inner understanding. It never imposes itself, but calls to us, illuminates and enlightens. That is why its power is deep and lasting. A people who read understand the future, because they know it is built with knowledge. A society that respects its authors respects the dignity of freedom of thought,” the President stressed.

The opening of the Fair was also addressed by Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov who said the Book Fair celebrates the word as the basis of culture, thought as the driving force of society, and the book as the space in which every idea finds its life.

“A people who read cannot be easily manipulated. A people who think, cannot be easily divided. While a people who create, cannot easily disappear. We are living in a time of speed, of superficiality, of information that appears and disappears in seconds. In such a world, the book is an act of resistance. To sit down and read means to decide to think, to decide that attention is a value, and that silence has meaning,” Ljutkov said.

The event was also addressed by the head of the Macedonian Association of Publishers, Bojan Sazdov, who spoke about the activities to popularize books, as well as Macedonian literature abroad.

Held under the slogan "Open a Window to New Worlds," this year's fair features more than 60 publishing houses and 130 scheduled book launches, literary panels and workshops. 

Several international authors will take part in the fair, including American thriller author Sarah Pekkanen, Italian novelist Viola Ardone, Dutch writer Gijs Wilbrink, Icelandic crime novelist Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Czech author Jiří Hájíček.

The 38th Book Fair is expected to draw 30,000 visitors, with organizers noting a growing trend of younger readers returning to printed books. 

The fair will be open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. Some of the proceeds from every ticket sold will go to SOS Children’s Village

Photo: MIA