Conference of small publishers is international project which gathers small publishers from the ex-Yu countries because of:
- Representation and stronger connection
- More successful operation in the region and enlargement of number of co-publishing projects
- Creation of better communication with literatures created in other European countries.

The countries participants in the project (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro) in last 18 years in different ways were boring with consequences of broken relations, lack of communication in the field of literature because of the political reasons, war circumstances, and some time common and unique cultural space.
Montenegro, as the host country, the initiator of the first serious questioning of positioning of small publishers and their importance in development of national literatures in EX- YU space gained its independence in peaceful manner and preserved good relations with all surrounding countries, and on that way it is necessary neutral space of their new common gathering that would be decisive for their future cooperation.

In each of participating countries not great number of small publishers that operate turned attention to their work by quality production, pure past, openness for cooperation with others, because of which they represent relevant holders of preservation and crucial changes in literatures they promote. On the other side, the thing in common for all small publishers is questionable survival in newly changed circumstances, requests that put upon market and creation of publishing corporations that with a far more means more powerfully step forward expelling small publishers without taking their role in the care of specificities of literature that is creating in the Balkans, the need for stronger relations in the region, exchange of experience and connection with European literature over the best the Balkans can offer, and that is the art.        

In political sense, the language used in the region is one language, but because of  lack of openness and connectivity there is not enough joint experiences, ideas, projects and books. However, all small publishers facing same problems: lack of financial capacities, cover literature segments (poetry, drama, essays) that ‘great’ publishers are not interested, ‘great’ publishers as well as media advertising which sell low-cost books in kiosks additionally endanger development of small publishers in the region. Consequently, this influences constant diminishing of number of small publishers which gave the original mark in the presentation of domestic literature as well as in translations of foreign authors.   

In Montenegro as well as the whole of Balkan region are still present and influential nationalistic, regressive cultural models and decision makers. Having in mind that culture in depth determines the whole being of a society, this kind of projects in long terms facilitate modernization of societies that passing through the period of cultural, political and economic  transitions after the painful. Projects of this kind in Montenegro help and encourage creators of modern sensibility close to European inclination to impose their ideas onto the wider social and political context.

Publishing industry in Montenegro is in its developing phase, without strong, consistent cultural policy in this field to help its steadfast growth and development. Projects of this kind are non-existent up till now, and they are needed for bringing together all participants from Montenegro and the region of South-East Europe in order to give some inputs and directions for creating long-lasting development strategy.
For the first time, in the Conference of Small Publishers we would have gathered together small publishers who are regionally recognized for their accomplishments and results. The most prominent regional writers connected their work to small publishers because they take special care for writers and books’ ‘destiny’ and preservation.     

The first part:
- Representation of library of small publishers for audience
- Individual representation of small publishers

The Second part:
- Round table where will participate small publishers, editors, and their most prominent authors in the region. The topics will be:
1. The analyses of present state/situation in the region with precisely detected problems
2. Drafting of cooperation strategy to include all participating countries
3. Examine possibilities for better interconnection with other European countries
- Literature evening where authors participants (guests and hosts) will read their works to audience.

 

Project Director: Milorad Popovic
The authors and coordinate the project: Jovanka Uljarevic and Jelena Vujovic
Project partners: Cyber Art Center, Belgrade and Apocalypse, Ljubljana
Organizer of the project: Open Cultural Forum

Project support: