SLIVEN PARTICIPATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL „VEZANII MOST” /Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina /

        The VI International festival for children’s literature “Vezanii most” was held from 19 to 22 of May in Tuzla /Bosnia and Herzegovina/. Organizers of the festival are House of culture - Tuzla, “Bosnian speech” publishing house, Radio-television – Tuzla substation and Association of the friends of book “Little prince”. The prize “Little prince” for best children’s book for the previous year in the countries of former Yugoslavia was handed during the days of the festival. The festival „Vezanii most” is a member of the Association of Balkan festivals for children’s literature, in which the only representative from Bulgaria is the National children’s book festival.

            Meetings with writers, theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions, opening of the park “Little prince” were included in the festival’s program. The prize “Little prince” for 2009 was handed by the ambassador of France in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Her Excellency Mrs. Marice Bernu on a special gala ceremony.

          The program of Mrs. Rositsa Petrova – directress of “Sava Dobroplodni” regional library- Sliven and of the National children’s book festival was interesting and full of many meetings. Besides the events included in the festival’s program she visited the National library „Derviš Sušić” – Tuzla and the biggest publishing house for children’s literature in Bosnia and Herzegovina – „Bosnian speech”. She was welcomed by the chairman of the Tuzla municipality Mr. Jasmin Imamovic.

On a special meeting the partners of the Association of the Balkan festivals approved a program for mutual activities for the period 2009-2010, which foresees work on mutual projects, organizing of international competitions and scientific forums, exchange of visits of children’s writers, creating mutual multilingual books– anthologies of poetry and prose of the best children’s writers from the different countries, translations of books etc.

          A presentation of the National Children’s Book Festival was included in the festival’s program. It was made by Rositsa Petrova and attracted the attention of many people. The film of Bulgarian National Television “A Window to the World” which was dedicated to the National Children’s Book Festival, with subtitles in English, was broadcasted.

          The hosts of the festival nicely surprised Mrs. Rositsa Petrova as they handed to her a diploma „For selflessly support of the festival „Vezanii most”. The prize was handed by Mr. Šimo Ešić – famous Bosnian writer, owner of „Bosnian speech” publishing house.