The "Warsaw International Book Fair" is the largest meeting of book writers, publishers and readers in Central and Eastern Europe, a prime event for the presentation of the newest in literary and publishing achievements.

The WARSAW INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR is the largest meeting of book writers, publishers and readers in Central and Eastern Europe, a prime event for the presentation of the newest in literary and publishing achievements. The event has a long tradition and has been essential to the development of the Polish publishing market; as such, it occupies an important place in Poland's calendar of cultural events.

Spain will be the honorary guest at this year's FAIR, and representatives of that country are preparing an abundant program of cultural and publishing meetings. Exhibitions will make up a large section of the Spanish presence and they will include an exhibit devoted to past winners of the Cervantes Award (Premio Cervantes) and a presentation of original, never-before-published works by 75 Spanish illustrators of books for children and young people.

This year's edition of the FAIR will take place on the eve of the national referendum relating to Poland's membership in the European Union. As a result, organizers have made a theme of issues related to the functioning of culture in a united Europe. Before the FAIR even begins, organizers will invite publishing market representatives from throughout the country to submit what they believe to be interesting questions on the situation of their industry following Poland's accession to the EU. This survey will be summarized during the FAIR in a series of publishers' meetings, participants of which will include experts from the Office of the Committee for European Integration.

This will be the seventh time that the FAIR will include the SZTUKA KSIAZKI / THE ART OF THE BOOK Festival, the main organizer of which is the Warsaw branch of the Association of Polish Visual Artists (Art Book Section).

The INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR will also feature an abundance of literary meetings, including a series titled "Europa, Europa... Sasiedzi" / "Europe, Europe... Neighbors," designed to promote the literature of other European countries, particularly those of Central and Eastern Europe. Another group of gatherings will be the "Ars Fantastica" series. Devoted to fantasy literature and science fiction, it was organized for the first time during the 47th edition of the IBF. Organizers have also prepared a program of attractions for children and young people. These will include specially arranged "Salonik dzieciecy" / "Children's Salon" that will host a series of meetings with writers, fairy tale readings, as well as games and contests related to some of the most beloved children's books available.

This year's edition of the FAIR will be supplemented by a number of film series, including one devoted to Young Croatian Cinema (at the "Luna" Theatre), a "Masters of European Cinema" series (at the "Iluzjon" / "Illusion" Theatre), and a series consisting of the films of Cedric Klapisch (at the "Luna" Theatre).

The honorary patrons of the WARSAW INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR are the President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwasniewski and the European Commission Representative Office in Poland. FAIR hosts will include Cultural Minister Waldemar Dabrowski and the Mayor of the City of Warsaw, Lech Kaczynski.

Opening hours:
May 15, 2003 (Thursday)

10:00-18:00 (professionals only)
May 16, 2003 (Friday)

10:00-14:00 (professionals only)

14:00-19:00 (open to the public)
May 17, 2003 (Saturday)

10:00-19:00 (open to the public)
May 18, 2003 (Sunday)

10:00-17:00 (open to the public)

Organization: Ars Polona
ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 7, Warsaw
tel. (+48 22) 826 12 01, 826 92 56
www.arspolona.com.pl

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