The 69th Belgrade International Book Fair opened on Friday with some major Serbian publishers boycotting the annual event.
This year’s fair slogan is Words Build the World, with Tunisia as the guest of honor and publishers from 14 countries taking part. The fair runs until October 31.
The fair's organisers said around 300 direct exhibitors are participating but a number of major Serbian publishing houses are absent after deciding to boycott the event for a second consecutive year. Those publishers cited high exhibition costs, falling visitor numbers and unresolved disagreements with the fair's management. They also object to the absence of publishing industry representatives with voting rights on the fair's board and say their concerns about the organisation and timing of last year's event were ignored.
Attendance fell from more than 203,000 in 2024 to about 135,000 last year. Several publishers are organising alternative events and promotional campaigns instead, offering readers discounts and opportunities to meet authors.