The auditorium of Pristina’s largest hotel was packed on September 6 with children visiting the Annual Book Fair, organized to promote International Literacy Day. The Annual Book Fair this year highlighted Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech in commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of Kings’ famous speech.

The 2^nd Annual Book Fair organized by USAID’s Basic Education Program is an opportunity for publishers from Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia to showcase books for children. Apart from display of books the fair included other activities such as reading corner, book-making, etc.

"Bookmaking was the most interesting activity of the Book Fair, since I was able to create my own book and express myself through writing and drawing” said Ida Krasniqi from Prishtina. Ida was one of 500 children from across Kosovo that visited the fair and learned about new publications.

USAID has been engaged in publishing books and materials that help promote reading. The newly-developed graded reading books, ‘mini-books’ for younger children, and the online version of these books was demonstrated at the fair.   

In addition to displays of books, charts and other reading materials, the USAID program presented a web-site (www.libroteka.org) where teachers can upload student’s books and students can read other student’s work.

USAID/Kosovo Director Maureen A. Shauket and Ramë Buja, Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) visited the fair and talked to the children who engaged in the activities. They also presented awards for the best student book and best school library.

USAID’s Basic Education Program in Kosovo is designed to benefit all public primaries and lower secondary schools in Kosovo (serving grades 1-9). The motto of the program is developing students’ 21st Century Skills with Schools and Communities.