A special event dedicated to the magic world of books took place in a particularly friendly and warm atmosphere on Saturday, March 10, 2018 in Warehouse C, within the framework of the 20th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
On the occasion of Frederick Wiseman’s latest film Ex Libris: Τhe New York Public Library screening in this year’s event, the festival audience had the opportunity to exchange their favorite books and participate in a conversation with Ioannis Trohopoulos, Head of the Athens 2018 World Book Capital organization, under the umbrella of the Municipality of Athens and UNESCO’s distinction.
Ioannis Trohopoulos shared with the audience some of his thoughts after viewing the documentary Ex Libris: Τhe New York Public Library, a film that presents every corner of this building, revealing a welcoming, open space for everyone, a venue of cultural exchange and education. Mr. Trohopoulos stressed: "I have some thoughts, feelings and words that were born from the very first time I watched this film. Repose and relaxation are two of them... Also, an idea: let's stay with these feelings without having envy or fear that we will never reach up to the standards of the New York Library. I also took notes of some words that I heard in the documentary or came to my mind as I watched it, words that describe a library today: bookstore, information hub, cultural center, shelter. And something oxymoron, in my personal view: in the documentary we saw some rich private donors who financially aided the library, a public organization, driven by their desire for a noble and tranquil world. And this can give food for thought about how culture is born”.
Mr. Trohopoulos also added: "My wish is to live with as less vanity as possible and certainty of self-conceit. We have to take small steps forward, that’s what we need to do, like for example this book exchange that is organized here today. And if I may, I will refer to my own experience as a director of the Veria Central Public Library where hundreds of people have been gathering, I will repeat that what matters are taking small steps without certainties and self-conceit”.
