THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL WHICH IS ORGANIZED BY „ SAVA DOBROPLODNI” REGIONAL LIBRARY IS ALREADY A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN FESTIVALS FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 

         The directors of eight festivals from Balkan countries established association and signed an agreement for mutual activity on November 19, in Bar /Montenegro/, during the days of the XXII International festival for children’s art and books publishing for children „Meetings under the Old Olive Tree” /17-20          November/.

         The National Children’s Book Festival which has been organized by “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library for ten years in a row already in our town was invited to be a member from Bulgaria .

The place for the establishment of the association was not chosen by chance. Bar -still famous for being „Montenegrin Venice” - is situated on the Adriatic coast and it has a rich thousands-years old history. The town was an aim for many conquerors, who tried to conquer it by sea or land because of its strategic significance. During the different periods of time it has been conquered for a short time by Hellenes, Romans, Turks, Venetians, but it always succeeded to preserve itself. One of the symbols of the town is the old olive tree called „Mirovitsa”. It is more than 2000 years old and it is the oldest olive tree in Europe . Under the branches of the old olive tree important peace agreements have been signed and controversial questions of many years have been settled. The tree turned a long time ago into a symbol of peace and good will. That is why the new association was established exactly there aiming the festivals from different countries to join their efforts in the name of their common goal – future for children’s books. 

         The National Children’s Book Festival was presented on the meeting by Rositsa Petrova– directress of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and of the festival. She signed the agreement of the Balkan festivals which provides for 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 etc. The first working meeting of the representatives of the Balkan festivals for children’s literature will be held in May during the days of the ХI National Children’s Book Festival in our town.

         A presentation of the National Children’s Book Festival was included in the program of the International festival „Meetings under the Old Olive Tree”. 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 Х National Children’s Book Festival, with subtitles in English, was broadcasted.