SAJAMSKI RADIO - Interliber 3

Guest Interliber 3Hosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026

Interliber 3

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Croatia's largest book fair, Interliber, gathers publishers, authors, and readers for its 42nd edition. Beyond the buzz of new releases and discounted titles, the event offers a unique vantage point into the health and challenges of the publishing industry itself. This episode takes listeners directly to the heart of the fair, speaking with a diverse group of exhibitors—from specialized technical publishers to family-oriented houses and even sellers of antique books. What emerges is a picture of resilience and stark contrasts. While some celebrate year-on-year growth and the enduring appeal of physical books, others paint a more challenging reality, especially for smaller markets in the region. You'll hear about how sales of technical literature can signal broader economic trends, why for some, "you can survive" from publishing, and why, for a true book lover, the condition of a book matters far less than its content. This conversation isn't just about books; it's about the business models, market dynamics, and sheer determination required to keep stories and knowledge alive in print.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

When a publisher of technical literature like Sajema notes that a mechanical engineer or builder buying a handbook indicates they need it for work and development, book sales become a surprising leading indicator. The purchase patterns of specialized guides directly signal the health and active projects within specific industries, offering a real-time pulse on economic growth.

The publishing landscape can vary dramatically even between neighboring countries sharing a language. While Croatia's market supports a thriving industry, the guest from Petar Kočić describes Bosnia's publishing as "quite weak," with books "slowly dying out." Market size and macroeconomic conditions, not just cultural appetite, are the primary determinants of an industry's health.

Asked if one can live from publishing, two different guests offer a nuanced answer: "You can survive." For the owner of Nova knjiga, it's a "tough living, but you can live," adding, "Those who say you can't are lying. You just have to work." The distinction between merely surviving and truly thriving defines the daily reality of publishing in smaller, more challenging markets.

Despite persistent narratives of a "publishing crisis" and the rise of digital media, Mozaik knjiga's director notes that "interest in books is not falling." People continue to seek out and purchase physical books, year over year, proving that the tangible experience of reading remains a powerful draw that digital formats haven't replaced.

For Mozaik knjiga, Interliber isn't a clearance sale for old stock. Their strategy focuses on promoting and selling new releases, with the director stating they "don't just sell old books at Interliber like a bazaar." A major fair becomes a platform for fresh content, signaling to readers that it's a place for discovery, not just discounts.

When the chief editor of Mozaik knjiga mentions he's attending Interliber for the 24th time, his long view offers a counter-narrative to industry anxieties. This kind of longevity suggests that consistent presence and careful adaptation often outweigh the perceived "crisis" of the moment, building a business that endures.

For Dragan Stupar of Nova knjiga, a seller of used and antique books, the distinction between new and old is irrelevant to a "true lover" of books. This insight points to a fundamental truth about reader demand: the value is in the content and the act of reading, not solely in the pristine condition of a new release.

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