It is always a cheering thought to find out there will be a book presentation, or a literary reading, a creative writing academy or a book signing by an emerging or an established author. Still, a host of questions spring to mind - how many people really do read books, do they do so because they really want to or is it just some kind of fad? What is more important to people - to buy mountains of useless stuff or to spend money on a book?

What are we to expect on European literature night, May 11? The answer from Katerina Hurtaeva, Director of the Czech Cultural Centre in Sofia:

“This is the 10th time literature night is being held in Europe, and the 5th in Bulgaria. Every year we channel our efforts in one direction - to present contemporary literature translated into Bulgarian. Of course, there are always other books and other authors. This year literature night will take place in Sofia, but also in Bourgas, Veliko Turnovo, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Pernik, Plovdiv, Rousse, Stara Zagora and Shoumen.”

The prominent names to be presented tonight include Terry Pratchett and Umberto Eco. But there will also be budding authors and for them literature night will be an opportunity to come in contact with the reading public for the first time. What events are lined up for tonight and is it really true that people no longer have a penchant for reading? Katerina Hurtaeva:

“Literature night is organized in a very distinct way, with clusters organized in each town. In each cluster one book is read throughout the night, and the reading is repeated every half hour. When literature night was starting out, we heard a great many doubts, people kept saying that nobody reads anymore, but that is not so. Many people come, perhaps because the format is intriguing. The combination of unorthodox locations with an engaging reader and fascinating books offers a very different kind of book reading experience.”

The organizers say it is very important that the locations change every year, outside of the conventional museums, galleries or libraries. The aim is to help people get a sense of the atmosphere of the town, and perceive literature from a different angle. That is why the venues of the events may well be a yoga club, a soup bar, a tea house or some historic building.

English version: Milena Daynova