The long-standing Warsaw International Book Fair may have been dethroned this year, but its rival, backed by the majority of Polish publishers, is championing a rich programme of events as it kicks off today. Over 300 authors are set to take part in the so-called Warsaw Book Fair, with guests including American historian Timothy Snyder, film-maker Andrzej Wajda and a host of literary luminaries such as Hanna Krall and Roma Ligocka.
569 publishers from 14 countries are setting up shop at the event, which is being held at one of Warsaw's most distinctive landmarks, the Stalinist-era Palace of Culture and Science.
Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski has also provided his honorary patronage, a further blow to the predecessor, which hopes to make a comeback next year.
Perks for the festival also include the announcement of the nominations for two hotly contested events, the Gdynia and Nike literary prizes (the latter has no link with the footwear corporation), as well as the winner of so-called “Comma and Full Stop” award for best children's book.
Saturday will see a cycle of meetings with the finalists of the Ryszard Kapuscinski Award for reportage.
Meanwhile, special place will also be given to new technologies, with audio books and e-books in abundance, accompanied by a conference on the concept of the electronic book.
This year marks the second edition of the Warsaw Book Fair. The predecessor, the Warsaw International Book Fair, had been held since 1958, but a large number of publishers rebelled against the conditions – not least financial - set by the old guard.
The Warsaw Book Fair runs until 15 May.
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