Thessaloniki Book Fair: Patxi Zubizarreta

Once again, Basque literature will be represented in Greece from 4 to 7 May at the Thessaloniki Book Fair. Writer Patxi Zubizarreta will take part in the fair’s 19th edition, with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute.

The fair, which takes place every year at the International Exhibition and Congress Center in Thessaloniki, Greece, is widely recognized as one of the country´s most beloved cultural initiatives. The aim is to introduce visitors to contemporary publications from around the globe.

The fair focuses on presenting new publications, fostering literary dialogue and establishing connections among professionals in the international book market. Highlights of the fair include readings and panel discussions, allowing visitors to exchange views on current issues in literature. This year´s event will feature authors, translators, and book professionals from 40 different countries, contributing to its richly diverse and polyphonic character. The presence of these individuals will provide an excellent opportunity for networking and dialogue within the industry.

Patxi Zubizarreta Dorronsoro (Ordizia, 1964) holds a Bachelors degree in Basque Philology. His literary works are distinguished by their contribution to children´s and young adult literature in Basque, although he also writes for adult readers. His works have been translated into several languages and he himself has translated well-known titles of children´s literature into Basque, such as ´A Thousand and One Nights´ and ´The Little Prince´ by Saint-Exupèry.

He has won numerous prizes and awards in the field of literature for children and young adults, including the Lizardi Prize (1991), the Baporea Prize (1994), the Antonio María Labaien Prize (1995) and the Euskadi Prize for Literature on four occasions (1998, 2006, 2010 and 2019). Some of Zubizarreta’s works are in the White Ravens catalogue and on the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honour List.

In recent years he has created shows and performances that combine literary and audiovisual resources: ‘Zikoinaren hegaldia’ (The flight of the stork) and ‘Hamar mezu eta dei bat’ (Ten messages and a call).