Readers of Europe 2022 – Cypriot recommendation

 

Library blog Thursday 14 July 2022

● General Secretariat of the Council   Readers of Europe 2022 – Cypriot recommendation   This summer the Council Library will shine a light on new and emerging European literary talent, with the third instalment of our Readers of Europe initiative. Through books recommended by the Brussels-based Permanent Representations to the EU, the literary pit stops on this tour will unearth some of Europe’s exciting new talent. Today’s selection is by the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU - Η ευχή της Μαρίνας by Alexia Papachristoforou Readers of Europe 2022 – Cypriot recommendation 14 July 2022   Reading suggestion   gsclibrary EU member states Culture Recommendation by the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU Book selected:  Η ευχή της Μαρίνας by Alexia Papachristoforou Stories about wishes are as old as the art of storytelling itself. From Sleeping Beauty with her fairy godmother, to Aladdin in the Arabian Nights, stories about wishes have always had the ability to enrapture readers, and allow them to imagine and dream. One particular audience is especially entranced by their power – children! Kids love to make wishes. There are birthday wishes and Christmas wishes. Wishes cast upon shooting stars and on coins tossed into fountains. Wishes to eat nothing but their favourite food and wishes to go to bed a little later. There is now another new addition to the cannon of children’s tales about wishes. Alexia Papachristoforou conjures up a wonderfully sweet story with her debut book Η ευχή της Μαρίνας Aimed at children and younger teens the book follows Marina, a young girl who wishes for her brother to be like all the other young boys in their neighborhood. You see, her brother is a little bit different. On her birthday Marina writes her wish on a piece of paper, puts some flower seeds on it and plants it. She believes that when the flower blooms, her wish will come true. Wishes are mischievous little things. They rarely behave as they are expected to. In this case it is Marina’s brother who possesses the real magic. His actions help her to accept him. He shows her how he displays love and offers empathy is his own way. How there are many different ways to talk and to express thoughts and feelings. Even without using words. This book is a great tool to start an open discussion with children about compassion and acceptance. The illustrations are gentle and warm and add a layer of depth to the story. Most importantly they are easy for even the youngest youngling to take in. A little gem of a book. For little ones and older ones alike. Alexia Papachristoforou (1981) comes from a mountainous village in Cyprus, Pano Platres. She is a teacher who believes that books can change the world. Along with her students they use books to travel together around the world. Her motto is ‘if we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change’. ‘Marina’s Wish’ is her first book. Effie Lada is from Greece and has studied art. She is involved with children’s books – sometimes as a writer or an illustrator and sometimes as both – having done more than 100 illustrated books, some of which have been translated into various languages. Cypriot literature in Eureka About the Readers of Europe campaign 2022 has been designated the European Year of Youth. As such, the Council Library has chosen to devote its annual Readers of Europe initiative to youth, putting the focus squarely on new and emerging European literary talent. The Permanent Representations to the EU have once again been invited to recommend books from their countries to read over the summer, with the third edition of our ‘Readers of Europe’ campaign. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Discover something new’, the idea being that every Permanent Representation selects a book from their country by an author who has published their first work within the last five years. We would then promote these selections over the summer on the Council Library blog.   Europe is awash with exciting young authors. Dive into this selection and discover stories that hum with fresh ideas and luminous prose. Novels that ask piercing questions about humanity. Stories that are edgy and beautiful, gripping and unsettling. Stories worthy of a place in any library.   So find a comfy place to sit back and relax as we showcase some of Europe’s promising literary talent. Join us as we once again encounter the Readers of Europe. European Year of Youth (background information) This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council. The Council Library reading room is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.00 to 15.00. The Info Desk remains open online from Monday to Friday.