Speaking for the association, Helena Kraljič has told the STA that the desire is for the event to become traditional and plans are being made to expand the festival to other Slovenian cities next year.

The idea is to promote bookshops at meeting points where people will be in touch with books, while this year's focus on different cultures is to foster tolerance and understanding among people.

The going will get under way with the launch of an exhibition of photographs of children with special needs at the Slovenian School Museum and continue with a programme prepared by various associations.

Most of the events beginning at 7 PM are aimed at children, to be followed up by events focusing on music from 8 PM and those centred on books after 10 PM.

Ljubljana's main bookshop, Konzorcij, will feature a presentation of Chinese culture, while African culture will dominate the bookshop in Čopova Street.

Irish culture will be in focus at the Modrijan bookshop, while the Sanje store will feature all about Oriental cultures and Knjigarna Felix in Cankarjeva Street will feature Latin American culture.

Also open until midnight will be the bookshop of Mladinska knjiga in Wolfova Street, and Felix stores in Čopova and Miklošičeva.

The evening is a prelude to the Museum Summer Night on Saturday when museums and galleries will be open to visitors admission free.