Bucharest continues to consolidate its status as a city where cultural events dedicated to reading attract more and more participants, and the Bookisit festival is one of the most interesting projects in this field. In 2026, the organizers are preparing the first edition of the year of the second-hand book fair, an event that combines the love for reading with the idea of sustainability and reuse.

What the Bookisit festival is and why it has become popular

Bookisit is not just a place where books can be bought at affordable prices. The event promotes a different philosophy about cultural consumption: that a book does not lose its value after being read once. On the contrary, volumes can continue to circulate among readers, be discovered by new generations, and create new reading experiences. 

Through this concept, the organizers aim to bring closer to the public the idea of responsible reading, in a world where the fast pace of consumption often leads people to buy and quickly give up objects, including books. The festival seeks to demonstrate that literature can have a much longer life than the first reading.

Over the past few years, Bookisit has become an event appreciated by readers in Bucharest. The basic idea of the festival is simple but effective: books that have already been read can be offered to other readers, can be exchanged, or purchased at affordable prices, so they continue to circulate.

The concept of "sustainable reading" is essential for this event. Instead of volumes remaining forgotten in libraries or being discarded, they can reach the hands of new readers. In this way, each book gains a second life, and readers discover titles that perhaps would not have been on their initial shopping list.

The success of the fair is also due to the relaxed atmosphere it creates. Participants can browse the volumes quietly, discuss favorite readings, and discover rare titles or older editions. Often, those who come to Bookisit leave not just with one book, but with several volumes that catch their attention.

Beyond the book fair component, the festival also has an educational role. The organizers aim to promote reading among children and to turn the interaction with books into a pleasant experience for the whole family.

Where and when Bookisit 2026 takes place

The first Bookisit 2026 edition will take place on March 15, 2026, in a space known for cultural events in Bucharest: Maison 13, located on Strada Dumbrava Roșie no. 2.

The location was chosen especially for its friendly atmosphere and because it allows organizing varied activities, both indoors and in spaces dedicated to workshops or cultural meetings. Maison 13 is a place frequently used for artistic and literary events, which makes it a suitable setting for a festival dedicated to books.

Entrance to the fair is free, which means that anyone interested in reading can attend at no cost. Visitors will have access to a wide selection of second-hand volumes, from classic and contemporary literature to children’s books, illustrated albums, or non-fiction works.

The organizers expect the event to attract both passionate readers and families looking to spend a different day in a cultural setting. The fair's atmosphere is relaxed, allowing each participant to take their time to discover interesting titles.

A special program dedicated to children

One of the distinctive elements of the 2026 edition is the extensive program of activities dedicated to children. The organizers have prepared a series of creative, educational, and artistic workshops aimed at bringing children closer to the world of books and stories.

The day begins at 10:30 am with the workshop titled “Pumpkin with Carrots”, led by writer and illustrator Diana Tivu. The activity is intended for children aged 4 to 9 years and combines reading with creative elements, so participants can enjoy stories interactively.

At 12:00 pm, the workshop “Nică's Adventures on the Staff” begins, a musical activity organized by MIMA – Music for parent-child pairs. The workshop is designed for children between 4 and 8 years old and aims to combine music, play, and storytelling into a pleasant artistic experience.

The program continues at 1:00 pm with the illustration workshop “An Illustrated Story”, coordinated by Alex Icodin. The activity is intended for children between 7 and 12 years old, giving participants the opportunity to discover how the illustrations that accompany stories in books are created.

The afternoon brings another moment dedicated to imagination: at 3:00 pm, the storytelling workshop “As Many as in the Moon and Lucky Stars” begins, together with author Cristina Beatrice Preda. The activity is designed for children aged 4 to 7 years and encourages creativity and the joy of telling stories.

The day concludes with a special artistic moment. Between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm, children can watch the theater performance “Bancnoțilă & Mărunțilă”, staged by the MiniRicii troupe. The performance is intended for children over 4 years old and promises an amusing and educational experience.

Free participation, but with prior registration for workshops

Participation of children in these activities is free, but the organizers have established an important rule: registration must be done in advance, online. This measure is necessary to control the number of participants and to ensure that the workshops are conducted under optimal conditions.

Parents interested are encouraged to check the online platforms of the event to reserve available spots. These workshops are usually highly sought after, and places are filled quickly.

Through these activities, the organizers aim to turn the festival into a complete educational experience for children. The workshops are not just recreational activities but also opportunities to discover reading in a creative way.

The “You Bring the Book, We Help the Library” campaign

Another important element of the Bookisit festival is its social component. The event also includes the campaign “You Bring the Book, We Help the Library”, an initiative through which visitors are encouraged to donate volumes to communities in need of educational resources.

To date, through this campaign, over 16,000 books have been donated, an impressive result showing the public's interest in such projects.

In the 2026 edition, the organizers aim to continue this initiative and collect books and educational games for the Public Library in Mateești, a locality in Vâlcea County.

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