The sixth edition of the Old, Rare, and Used Book Fair in Prishtina is successfully rekindling the nostalgia for older publications and helping readers reconnect with books lost from their personal libraries.

Berat Dakaj, the organizer of this fair, which began yesterday and will run until May 10, noted that the number of books exhibited has increased year after year. In an interview on RTK's "Mirëmengjesi Kosovë," he mentioned that they started with 800 titles, and this year, that number has grown to 3,000.

He explained that it took years of effort to gather these old, rare, and used books. "We have collected books from everywhere. We've even sourced books from containers and bags left on the ground. Additionally, I have purchased books from individuals who wished to part with their personal libraries," he said.

Dakaj highlighted that most of the books are in the field of literature, although there are also selections in scientific and Albanological areas. “At the Fair, we will exhibit books in the Albanian language dating from 1902 onward. We also have books in English and German that date from 1702 to 1744. However, interest in these is limited. Last year, we showcased a collection of French classicist authors, and a group of French women came and bought the entire collection,” Dakaj noted.

The Fair serves as an effort to preserve collective memory by showcasing many publications from the "Renaissance" era. 

"There is no precise count of the destruction of public and private libraries. I have begun compiling a monograph on how many libraries were destroyed during the war in Kosovo. At our first edition, many citizens came, and when we showcased ‘Rilindja’ publications, most remarked that these were the very books they had in their libraries. Some purchased them on credit, while others used their salaries. Many mentioned that their libraries had been destroyed or burned during the war, but a few were fortunate enough to save some books,” he shared.

The event runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the terrace of the Albanological Institute. In addition to the exhibition of 3,000 titles, the Fair will also feature promotions of books by Albanian authors, poetry readings, and donations of books for school libraries from Kosovo publishers.