Italy-Slovenia: Geographical neighbours, cultural neighbours
Passing the baton
The end of the year dedicated to Slovenian literature is celebrated with a ceremonial passing of the baton to Italy, the 2024 Guest of Honour.
Representatives from the 2023 and 2024 Guest of Honour Countries attend the event. The succession is symbolically represented by the handing over of the Guest Scroll, the parchment engraved with the texts of guests from previous editions, which is testament to the appeal of this venerable tradition.
The handover takes place following a discussion moderated by Shila Behjat between two authors, Slovenian Dušan Jelinčič and Italian Ilaria Tuti. This is an opportunity to compare the features that literature from both countries has in common, which are not only geographically but also culturally neighbours.
This year’s event also strengthens friendships and cooperation between the two countries as the preparation phase for the start of a shared journey that sees Nova Gorica and Gorizia become the 2025 European Cultural Capital.
From these initiatives comes a lesson in peace and unity among populations which, as hopes the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, will help ‘to surpass forever the most tragic pages of the past and pave the way for a shared future.
The ceremony evokes the spirit of respect and shared experience that defines the Fair and provides a wonderful moment to celebrate the richness of the two cultures in all fields.
The handover between neighbouring countries such as Slovenia and Italy provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of proximity. We find this value in literature and, more generally, in the art of people from both countries.
The event, scheduled for the last day of the Fair’s 75th edition, gives impetus to other events in 2024 which, given Italy's participation at Frankfurt as the Guest of Honour, is organised to promote the cultural heritage of the borders that join Italy and Slovenia.
