Over 400 events organized by more than 150 exhibitors and one million books, of which 4,000 will be editorial novelties, are the attractions of the 14th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair, which will take place from 29 May to 2 June.
“Bookfest gathers also this year more than 150 exhibitors in the biggest exhibition pavilion of Romexpo, called B2, a generous area of more than 15,000 square meters, of which more than a third are occupied by the stands of the publishers and other exhibitors,” Grigore Arsene, president of the Romanian Publishers Association, organizer of the event told the press conference dedicated to the announcement of the event, held at the Humanitas Bookstore near Cismigiu Park.
He said that there would be about a million books in Bookfest, of which a lot of novelties, around 4,000, but also over 400 events on stages and in the stands.
Arsene welcomed the presence of the United Kingdom as an honorary guest of this edition of Bookfest, “the country from which we import the most fiction and nonfiction literature for translation, the country that somehow leads the way in all kinds of publishing directions.”
“It is absolutely impressive what we have been able to do and we are glad that the UK has paid attention to a relatively small market, but which holds in high regard the British culture. Through the ongoing manifestations but also through all kinds of other actions, we hope that the ties between the two markets will develop and learn more about how to promote reading and especially how to print and publish books on alternative media in a world so confused by the technological changes that follow,” emphasized Arsene.
In his turn, British Council Director Nigel Bellingham said that reading and culture keep the UK and Romania in a continuous connection.
UK participation will take place under the motto “Culture is GREAT” and will give the Romanian public the occasion to meet with 10 authors, in over 50 events addressed at both literature lovers and book professionals. At the stand, those interested will be able to find a rich offer of English books, as well as Romanian language editions of well-known books signed by British authors.
Bookfest is organized by the Association of Publishers in Romania under the aegis of the Romanian Publishers Federation, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity and the British Embassy in Bucharest.
