Contact: Kim Pettit
ChristianTrade Association International
+1 (719) 432-8428
E-mail: kpettit@ChristianTrade.com
Marketsquare Europe, held October 4-5, 2012 in Budapest, Hungary, was the occasion for ChristianTrade’s fifth “European Christian Book of the Year” contest.
“ChristianTrade wants to highlight the original works of Christian publishers in Europe,” says Kim Pettit, executive director. “In many evangelical markets abroad, the development of local writers lags behind the publishing of English-language translations from the U.S. and the U.K., or German and French translations. We want to encourage the growth of the Christian trade, and that includes supporting the development of excellent content, wherever it may be found.”
The book presentations, voting, and award took place during the Celebration Dinner held Thursday, October 4, 2012, the first day of the Marketsquare Europe trade show. This year’s entries were from Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
First place was won by the book Warm Stories for Coffee Time, by first-time author Nadiia Gerbish, published by Bright Star Publishing in Ukraine. The book contains 40 original stories and photos intended to bring hope, inspiration and joy to people. “We have enough sad books,” says Gerbish. Her book is written to appeal to a non-Christian audience. The first print run sold out in just two weeks, and sales of the second printing are well underway.
“I feel so grateful to the Lord and to the people who believed in me and my book,” says Gerbish. “Hopefully, its message will communicate to the hearts of Ukrainian readers (and maybe, readers in other countries) and change their life… and eternity.”
Romania’s Editura Casa Cărtii’s History of Romanian Pentecostalism, by Valeriu Andreiescu, in two hefty volumes, came in second. A foam puzzle and activity board book for children, Miracles of Jesus, by Magda Bloch and Tomasz Kruczek, from Poland’s Vocatio Publishing, came in third.
“Our vision at ChristianTrade is to see excellent Christian resources impact the lives of all people everywhere,” adds Pettit, “so it is a thrill to recognize books that make key contributions to the Body of Christ. There are excellent titles being published every day by our brothers and sisters around the world, and this is a way to honor their work.”
“Plan now to join Marketsquare Europe next year,” says Pettit, “and to take part in the European Christian Book of the Year Contest.”
The next ChristianTrade event is Marketsquare International, in Atlanta, taking place January 6-8, 2013, just before CBA Next 2013 and the AmericasMart Gift Show. For details, please visit www.ChristianTrade.com.
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ChristianTrade Association International is a worldwide association of nations, companies, and individuals committed to fulfilling the Great Commission by distributing Christian resources. It holds international regional conventions in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America; publishes an annual Christian-trade directory; hosts international events at CBA’s International Christian Retail Show; and serves as a catalyst for growing the Christian trade worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ChristianTrade.com or e-mail info@ChristianTrade.com.
