With the coming presentation of Slovak literature at the international book fair LIVRE PARIS between March 15 and 18, The Center for Information on Literature prepared another activity which aims to introduce the French public to Slovak literature even before the book fair starts. Following last year's visit of French publishers that already resulted in translations of Slovak books, LIC has prepared a meeting of the key players of Slovak literary life and of invited members of the French press. Journalists from famed periodicals like Le Figaro, L´Humanité, Livres Hebdo, Lire and Radio France International experienced three busy days in Bratislava, including official audiences at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic and at the mayor Matúš Vallo's office. The main part of the program was meeting with Slovak authors who will present their books translated into French at the book fair in Paris, as well as with Slovak publishers representing the Slovak book market. A vivid interest of the French journalists who were present promises that the outcome of their visit in form of articles, reports and interviews will ensure that our presentation of the literary Bratislava and the whole Slovakia at one of the most prestigious European book fairs goes well.
Members of the French press were also welcomed by the ambassador of France in Slovakia, Mr Christophe Léonzi. He praised the initiative of the director of LIC, Mrs Miroslava Vallová, who came up with the idea to trigger the interest of French publishers and readers toward Slovak literature by Bratislava being the city invited to one of the most important European book forums. He recognized her enormous, years-long endeavor necessary to complete a project of such magnitude as well as her efforts to bring Slovak literature to the francophone world and by so doing, enabling the two cultures to get know each other better.
