The 26th edition of the Prishtina Book Fair has started today and will remain open for five days at the Palace of Youth. At the opening ceremony, the importance of reading was emphasized, as reported by KosovaPress. Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that placing books in public spaces, even for a few days, shows that the country still recognizes the weight of the written word, but according to her, this does not relieve them of the responsibility to carefully assess the situation and to also speak about the place books are not occupying in everyday life. “Reading is one of the first ways a person learns to understand the world beyond themselves. A child who reads carefully learns to follow an idea to the end and to identify the main concept. They learn to ask questions, to compare, not to rush to conclusions, and that not every sentence that sounds certain is true. A citizen who reads better understands news, laws, political promises, contracts, history, official documents and their own rights. He or she has a greater chance of thinking independently, understanding what is being said, and not remaining dependent on others. In Kosovo, as in many countries around the world, reading is facing a decline in attention, changing habits, the pressure of screens and a pace of life that leaves less and less space for books. But the fact that this is happening elsewhere does not make it any less important for us; on the contrary, it shows that we must act in time and with maturity, not by blaming one another, but by accepting that reading requires shared responsibility and coordinated work,” said Haxhiu. She further stated that a Republic that cares about reading cares about the freedom of its citizens, adding that the opening of this fair should not remain only a congratulation to publishers and readers, but a call for joint, clear and continuous work. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, said that a reading population builds stronger institutions, more stable states and fairer societies, adding that a people who read understand that democracy is not protected only by laws, but by awareness. “A people that reads protects its history because it knows its history, it does not allow it to be distorted, forgotten or written by others. It understands that identity and collective memory are the foundation on which the future is built. Above all, a reading people develops a sense of progress and development. It is not afraid of new ideas and does not see knowledge as a privilege, but as a right and responsibility. Therefore, every book bought today is not only an investment for an individual, but an investment for a freer, more educated and stronger society. Every child who develops a love for books today is tomorrow a more conscious citizen, because nations are not great because of their material wealth, but because of the minds they shape,” said Rama, KosovaPress reports. The representative of the Kosovo Publishers Association, Edon Zeneli, said in his speech that books open the world, but to open the world, one must first open the mind and cultivate an open mentality. This edition, like previous ones, the Book Fair is being held on the plateau of the Palace of Youth in Prishtina.