FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Renowned writer Ben Blushi raised concerns about the situation of bookstores in Albania, describing the country as "last in the world" in this regard.
Blushi stated that Albania has very few books, while according to him, the Book Fair has lost its main function as an opportunity to promote the culture of reading. Blushi adds that the Book Fair has become a 'shop' to meet people, a tradition, a celebration and not to make money.
"We are a country without bookstores. In Albania, today we only have 2-3 bookstores in Tirana. We have turned the Book Fair into a 'shop' to meet people, not to make money. It has become a celebration and a tradition, but during the year the book becomes numb or sleeps," Blushi told "News 24".
He compared Albania to other European countries, where Sweden and Denmark hold the first place for the number of bookstores per 1,000 inhabitants, with 9 bookstores, while Italy and Greece have 2-3. Blushi hopes that this situation will change and interest in books will increase in Albania.
"We are a country without bookstores. I was looking at a European statistic regarding bookstores per 1,000 inhabitants, Sweden and Denmark held the first place, with 9 bookstores, Italy or Greece with 2-3. We should be the last country in Europe but also in the world, today in Tirana there are 2-3 bookstores. We have the Book Fair as a shop, not to earn money, but to meet people because hundreds of people come there because it is a kind of celebration, it has become a tradition. During the year, the book becomes numb, or sleeps", he said.
Lini një Përgjigje