Book fair in Vojvodina highlights cultural identity of Croats in Serbia

At an annual seminar for representatives of Croatian cultural associations, the first book fair of Croatian authors from Vojvodina was held in Subotica, featuring several hundred titles published privately or by associations and professional institutions of Croats in Serbia.

The seminar, according to Josip Bako, director of the Institute for Culture of Vojvodina Croats, was organised to support cultural groups in book production, CE Report quotes HINA.

“Between 30 and 40 books are published each year. This means the book has become an important marker of identity for Croats in Serbia,” said Katarina Čeliković, author of the presentation “Croatian Book in Serbia”.

A guest at the seminar was Mirko Ćurić, vice-president of the Croatian Writers’ Association from Đakovo, Croatia, who said the Croatian publishing scene in Serbia was vibrant.

“The number of books published annually is respectable relative to the size of the community in Serbia. It is commendable that all literary genres are represented and that the books are well produced. In terms of quality, they have their place and belong to the Croatian publishing scene,” he said.

The seminar was co-organised by the Croatian National Council, whose head Jasna Vojnić said Croats in Serbia had much to be proud of both in terms of quantity and quality of printed works.

“What matters is the kind of books we have today, as they leave a lasting record of how we presented Croats in Serbia, how we preserved our identity and mother tongue,” she said, noting that the largest financial support for publishing projects comes from Croatia.

Around 20 representatives of Croatian associations took part in the seminar.

foto Josip Stantić