The fourteenth edition of the "Alley of the Book" in Sofia was opened with an official ceremony held at the "Literary Corner" tent in front of the National Palace of Culture. The event began with a reading of an excerpt from "Patilansko tsarstvo" by Ran Bosilek, presented by author Vera Nakova and reader Michelle Stoyanova. Nakova wished visitors the best in finding at least one inspiring book during the exhibition.

"Reading is an extremely important element of modern human life, and events like these encourage reading, the encounter with a book, and the encounter with text," stated the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Georgi Valchev. Petya Gospodinova, Chair of the Management Board of the "Bulgarian Book" Association, noted that the organizers are turning a "new page in Sofia's cultural calendar." She recalled that last week, Georgi Gospodinov was awarded the 32nd "Jean Monnet" European Literature Prize for his novel "The Gardener and Death." Gospodinova added that this year, Bulgaria was the focus of international book fairs in Thessaloniki and Bucharest.

As part of the exhibition, the "Democratic Mosaic" festival will be held on September 11 and 12. Miroslav Tsekov, Director of the "Civic Participation" forum, explained that visitors will have the opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 organizations. "The book is a portal to an infinite variety of worlds. The book is freedom," stated Tsekov. In partnership with the "Bulgarian Book" Association, the initiative "Buy a book, gift a future" is being implemented, through which donated books will reach 26 youth centers across the country.

Daniela Furnadzhieva, who hosted the event, noted: "Investing in books and reading is an investment in people." Dr. Marcela Borisova, Director of the Sofia Library, announced that the second edition of the "Library in Slippers" initiative, themed "Stories Across Generations," will begin on September 12. The project aims to encourage the exchange of favorite titles between grandparents and grandchildren.

Irina Dakova, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, emphasized: "The book is an encounter with new worlds and new ideas." Dimitar Bozhilov, Mayor of the Triaditsa District, added that raising a reading generation is a major challenge, and our task is to instill in them the virtues taught by books. Rumen Radev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, remarked that "The book is the most sustainable carrier of knowledge" and expressed hope to see policies focused on literature from the Ministry of Culture. Also present at the ceremony were Anton Kutev, Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Media in the National Assembly, and Iya Petkova, Director of the National Palace of Culture.