
Every year, on World Book and Copyright Day and on other occasions, we celebrate our love for literature with Open-Air Book Fairs in cooperation with the publishing community. Here in Ljubljana, a UNESCO City of Literature, these fairs are a fantastic way to experience the city's vibrant literary scene firsthand.
We set up stalls or tables in the city center, where publishers stack them high with their best wares – at discounted prices, of course. It's a great opportunity to meet the publishers themselves, network, and attend book launches. The fairs are also bustling with meetings, discussions, author signings, and music, making them a dynamic and engaging experience.
But the magic of these events goes beyond the books themselves. They provide an excellent environment for bringing Ljubljana's literary community together and fostering connections. Not only can you meet local publishing professionals, but you'll also have the chance to discover Slovenian authors, both established and up-and-coming, many of whose works are translated into English and available for you to explore and buy. So come along, delve into the world of literature, and discover a whole new side of Ljubljana!
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BOOKS IN ENGLISH
Ljubljana, Unesco’s City of Literature will be present at the fair as the organizer but also as a stall with books by Slovenian authors in translation! Welcome to browse, get to know, read and buy Slovenian books in English.
Let’s gather under the open sky and honor the world of books together!
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LITERARY EVENTS ON THE FAIR STAGE
Throughout the day, the stage will host discussions, book presentations, readings, as well as opening and closing concerts.
9:00 GOOD MORNING, BOOK FAIR
10:00 MUSICAL WAKE-UP CALL
Zajtrk (Laura Krajnc – vocals, violin & Sven Horvat – guitar, vocals)
An ethno-chanson duo committed to Slovenian lyrics, bringing a witty, socially critical, and playful approach to their music.
11:00 DISCUSSION AND AWARD CEREMONY
Kritiško sito Award Kritiško sito is the only literary award presented by critics. Eva Ule will lead a conversation with this year’s nominees (Kazimir Kolar, Nataša Kramberger, Ana Schnabl, Peter Semolič, Ana Svetel, and Manca G. Renko), followed by the award presentation. Organized in collaboration with the Slovenian Literary Critics' Association.
12:00 / FOR CHILDREN
Storytelling performance by Boštjan Gorenc – Pižama (ages 5–10)
Pižama’s magical bag is packed with quirky tales! Together, children will explore a father’s beard, chase dragons, and encounter the Forgetful Cap and a terrifying wolf. A surprise story might even be created on the spot!
13:00 DISCUSSION WITH NOMINEES
Vasja Cerar Award
Presented by the Slovenian Literary Translators’ Association and MKC Maribor, this award recognizes outstanding translations into Slovenian. This year, it focuses on youth literature (12+). Moderated by Diana Pungeršič.
14:00 BOOK PRESENTATION Neige Sinno: Sad Tiger An award-winning autobiographical novel that confronts sexual abuse within a family with radical honesty. The conversation will feature editor Darja Marinšek, translator Saša Jerele, psychoanalyst Dr. Ana Jereb, and journalist Nina Gostiša.
15:00 PANEL DISCUSSION
"BURNING!"
Climate change, environmental disasters, biodiversity loss, green transition—key challenges for society, science, and politics. Luka Culiberg, Dušan Plut, and moderator Ajda Pistotnik discuss recent books on the subject.
16:00 BOOK PRESENTATION & CONCERT
Boštjan Narat: BAND
A novel about forming a band and navigating dreams and reality, accompanied by a short concert.
17:00 BOOK PRESENTATION
Goran Vojnović & Esad Babačić: Letters from the Field
A book capturing the authors’ shared passion for sports through an exchange of letters. Presented with journalist Slavko Jerič.
18:00 BOOK PRESENTATION
Ana Schnabl & Ana Svetel
Afternoon discussion with nominees for the Kritiško sito Award, presenting their latest novels September and Glass Walls.
19:00 READING & BOOK COLLECTION PRESENTATION
Prepišni Prišleki
Featuring the latest in Slovenian fiction and poetry, the Prišleki collection has been publishing groundbreaking works since 1996. A reading by contemporary authors will follow.
19:30 POETRY READING
Črna skrinjica
Showcasing poets who have recently published with Črna skrinjica. Featuring Matjaž Zorec, Stanka Hrastelj, Pino Pograjc, and Jan Krmelj.
20:00 CONCERT
Brothers of d'Light (Nils Rošker & Kristjan Hacin)
A folktronic duo blending rich ethnic vocal echoes with Persian lute melodies, infused with live electronic soundscapes.
21:00 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
A toast to wrap up the day!
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PUBLISHERS
Anksio • Avrora • Bajalka • Beletrina • Bitcoin knjižnica • Buča • Cankarjeva založba • Center za slovensko književnost • Črna skrinjica • Didakta • Društvo humanistov Goriške • Družina • Emily June Novels • Goga • Grafenauer založba • Hart • Hiša knjig • Hiša poezije • Inštitut Časopis za kritiko znanosti • Iskanja • kooperativa THD (Društvo za teoretsko psihoanalizo, Krtina, Sophia, Studia humanitatis, Založba /*cf.) • KUD Konstruktivist • KUD Logos • KUD Police Dubove • Kulturni center Danilo Kiš • LUD Literatura • LUD Šerpa • Malinc • Miš založba • Mladika • Mladinska knjiga • Morfem • No!Press • Pivec • samozaložbe Vlado Began, Stan Dirdeny, Alicia Peljhan, Nataša Rupena • Sanje • Sidarta • Slovenska kinoteka • Slovenska matica • slovenski gledališki založniki (SLOGI, Knjižnica MGL, Maska, Emanat, AGRFT) • Sodobnost • Strip.art.nica Buch • Stripburger / Forum Ljubljana • Stripolis • Škrateljc • ŠKUC • VBZ • Vida • VigeVageKnjige • Zala • Založba Grlica in Založba Graffit • Založba UL Pedagoške fakultete • Založba ZRC • Založništvo tržaškega tiska • Zgodovinski arhiv Ljubljana • Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete