BookStar festival in Skopje

The 12th edition of the BookStar European Literature Festival in Skopje has commenced under the motto ‘FREE AT LEAST – WHY FREEDOM!’. The event brings together prominent international and domestic authors to explore literature, culture, and contemporary social challenges through various discussions, podcasts, and readings.

Spanish author Eloy Moreno served as a primary guest, opening the festival with a session involving students from four local schools. During this engagement, Moreno addressed topics such as social media influence, identity, and bullying. Regarding school violence, Moreno stated, ‘I want to tell you that you should never remain silent about school violence. The moment we all stand up together against it and oppose it – it will stop.’

The festival program includes sessions dedicated to Marjane Satrapi and novelist Guzel Yakhina, alongside literary readings by authors such as Liljana Korobka and Sasha Bronwasser. Additional scheduled activities include a debate titled ‘Can a bestseller be great literature?’, as the event continues to examine the concept of freedom through diverse linguistic and cultural lenses.