Sunday April 23 marked World Book Day, a day to celebrate reading established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO.

On Monday, bookworms in Kosovo will have a chance to participate in two events where they can present their own creations.

Artpolis – The Center for Art and Community is organizing a get-together in the city’s new Hivzi Sylejmani library, while a joint organization by the NGOs ETEA and Termokiss are organizing the 2017 Book Festival at the American School of Kosova.

Jeta Berisha, public relations officer at Artpolis, explained that the goal of the event is to bring together new writers and artists.

“It’s an open activity for everyone. It will be accompanied with the sound of music and the taste of wine. We’re inviting everyone who wants to promote their books because it’s a good chance for public recognition,” she said.

The Book Festival will include activities such as stage reading, discussion panels, and a book exchange.

Both NGOs emphasized that due to a lack of institutional and financial help, volunteers have organized the activities to celebrate and spread their love of reading.

Agon Ahmeti from ETEA said that they are hoping to turn the Book Festival, which started two years ago, into a Prishtina tradition.

“Of course, it takes time for something to be considered a tradition, but this is the third time we are organizing the festival,”  he said, adding that so far the annual fair has been a success.

Writers expected to participate in the discussion panel include Albatros Rexhaj and Ibrahim Kadriu, hip-hop artist and songwriter Bimbima, journalist Milaim Zeka, and singer-songwriter Edona Vatoci.

Slam poetry and music performances by young artists are also on the program, which will continue late into the evening.

The events begin at 1 pm with ‘the open floor’ at the Hivzi Sylejmani library; the Book Festival will take place from 5-10 pm at the American School of Kosova.