51st International Convention of Writers opens

BELGRADE - The 51st International Convention of Writers, to be held until September 22, was ceremonially opened at the National Library of Serbia on Wednesday.

Association of Serbian Writers (UKS) President Radomir Andric - Roko opened the event, welcoming the international participants, as well as those from Serbia, Kosovo-Metohija and Republika Srpska.

"The half a century of these conventions of writers solidifies our belief that they are necessary for our culture", Andric said.

Andric said that this year's convention commemorates the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Lermontov, but that it is also a tribute to Serbian literary greats, marking the 150th anniversary of the death of Vuk Karadzic, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Branislav Nusic, the centenary of the death of Jovan Skerlic, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Erich Kosch - whose monument was unveiled in Belgrade's Francuska Street - and the 80th anniversary of the birth of Branko Miljkovic.

He thanked the Ministry of Culture and the Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia, the City of Belgrade and the numerous donors.

The chairman of the UKS international relations committee Dragan Mraovic particularly thanked the National Library of Serbia, which he said welcomed the writers as their "most natural habitat."

The international convention will also include round table discussions, poetry evenings and a tour of several Serbian cities.

The opening night featured a performance by acclaimed violinist Tatjana Olujic and reading of poetry written by Shakespeare and Lermontov.

Photo Tanjug, S. Radovanovic (archive)