2 November 2016 | Belgrade, Serbia [Nikola Grujić]
The Serbian Adventist Publishing house, Preporod, gained a special award at the 61st Belgrade International Book fair, 23-30 October 2016. Recognition was given for the book, ‘Mihajlo Pupin – the biggest Christian among scientists’. The panel of judges made the award in acknowledgement of the books contribution to science.
Dragan Pejovski, director of Preporod, responded that, “in a very strong competition, among hundreds of publishers, our release was recognised since the great scientist, Mihajlo Pupin, clearly underlines that without spirituality and faith in God, there is no true science.”
The International Book Fair is a significant cultural event that draws approximately 150,000 visitors. For the Adventist Church this presents an excellent opportunity to share biblical values. As a result, Preporod traditionally participates in the fair. Over the years it has seen both significant growth in sales and an openness among people to spiritual issues.
Marija is one of them. “Last year was the first time that I came in contact with your books. I had no idea what good quality books they are. This year I’m going to buy your books first, and then if there is time and money, I will go for others.”
Church members see the fair as a special outreach project. It becomes a meeting place with people who long for Bible truths and books that help them connect with God. Veljko, another visitor to the stall said, “The literature on your booth is quite different to most others. I find many books here that interest me.”
That kind of interest during the fair is especially important as it has become more difficult in recent years to get Adventist literature into general bookstores. [See: Adventists, spurned by Serbia’s bookstores, set up shop near Orthodox church.]
Winning the award has, however, increased the visibility of Adventist literature. Pejovski noted that a number of media outlets followed the award ceremony. He said, “This award has helped make people recognise the uniqueness of our literature and to turn to the quality books that we offer.”
Those books are changing lives. Zoran told staff, “Whenever I’m at an intersection in my life and have problems, I come back to your books to find peace and a solution.”
Among the best-selling books are the Desire of Ages and the Great Controversy. People are also very interested in medical and psychological literature that promotes healthy lifestyles and thinking.
Publishing house staff all agreed that the eight days of the fair provided them with great opportunities to talk with people, to exchange ideas, to reconnect with people who have previously purchased Adventist books, and to testify about God’s love. Thankful for the recognition they have now received as publishers, they pray that this will give them new opportunities for the future and an ability to enrich people’s lives with quality books. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor
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