The International Book Fair Bookfest, now at its 18th edition, opens its doors on Wednesday at Romexpo Bucharest. Until Sunday, June 1st, visitors are invited to Pavilion B2, where they’ll find the best books at the most advantageous prices. Nearly 160 stands will be present, and publishing houses have prepared not only special deals and discounts, but also exclusive meetings with numerous cultural figures from Romania and Portugal, this year’s guest of honor.

Among the most prominent contemporary authors who will attend Bookfest are: Mircea Cărtărescu, Gabriel Liiceanu, Mircea Mihăieș, Doina Ruști, Radu Paraschivescu, Tatiana Niculescu, Ioana Pârvulescu, Adrian Miroiu, Cristian Preda, Robert Șerban, Denisa Comănescu, Dinu Flămând, as well as Cristina Andone, Augustin Cupșa, and Alex Moldovan, who will be present at publisher stands or open stages for book launches, interviews, and book signings, according to organizers.

Admission is free for both the Book Fair itself and all the scheduled events.

As the guest of honor, Portugal has prepared a daily program of events, book launches, debates, and workshops for children, just a few of which are highlighted here. The inauguration of Portugal’s stand will take place on Wednesday at 12:30 PM. Later, at 4:00 PM, also at the Guest of Honor stand, a roundtable discussion titled “Books, Courage, and Communities: On the Power of Independent Cultural Enterprises” will feature Rosa Azevedo, Raul Popescu, and Ana Sipciu.

One of the most significant events of the program takes place on Thursday at 6:00 PM, on the Arena stage: a compelling debate titled “Reading as a Public Space: How Books Keep a Democratic Society Alive”, featuring Henrique Mota (former president of the Portuguese Publishers Association and the Federation of European Publishers), literary agent Simona Kessler, publisher Lidia Bodea, and professor Mircea Vasilescu, moderated by former Minister of Culture Corina Șuteu.

Later that evening, to close the second day of Bookfest, another roundtable titled “Cultural Journalism: Art or a Formula for Social Cohesion?” will take place at Portugal’s stand, with Ana Margarida de Carvalho and Ioana Stăncescu as guests, moderated by Iolanda Frandeș-Vasile.

A highlight of Saturday’s events is scheduled for 2:00 PM, at the Guest of Honor stand: a discussion with Portuguese author David Machado about his novel Average Happiness Index, translated into Romanian by Veronica Manole. The dialogue will also feature Veronica Manole and George Cornilă, and will be moderated by Simina Popa.

The final days of Bookfest will celebrate major names in Portuguese literature. On Saturday at 12:00 PM, on the Agora stage, a tribute will be held in honor of Antonio Lobo Antunes, centered around the Romanian translation of his novel Fado Alexandrino. Participants will include literary scholar Carmen Mușat, author Radu Paraschivescu, translators Cristina Dăscălescu Dordea and Dinu Flămând, and Ana Rita de Sousa, director of the Camões Institute, with Denisa Comănescu, director of Humanitas Fiction, as moderator.

At 4:00 PM, also on the Arena stage, José Luís Peixoto will join publisher and writer Bogdan-Alexandru Stănescu in a conversation on the broad and engaging topic “The World Through the Eyes of José Luís Peixoto.” Following that, at 6:00 PM, a dialogue will unfold between G.M. Tavares and T.O. Bobe, two prominent yet often under-the-radar figures of their respective literary traditions.

On Sunday at 2:00 PM, editor and translator Dan Croitoru will moderate a discussion around the José Saramago author series, starting from the launch of the latest Romanian translation, The Quasiobject. Joining him in the discussion will be Bogdan-Alexandru Stănescu, literary critic Carmen Mușat, author José Luís Peixoto, and translator Simina Popa.

Bookfest Junior
Throughout the duration of the book fair, publishing houses will welcome the youngest readers with a series of events gathered under the umbrella of Bookfest Junior, featuring surprises such as creative workshops, theatre activities, book launches, as well as photo and autograph sessions.

As part of the children’s activities, Didactica Publishing House will host on Thursday at 4:00 PM the creative workshop “Draw Your Own Story Character”, led by author and illustrator Diana Tivu.

A theatre workshop inspired by a script based on the beloved “Cireșarii” series by Constantin Chiriță will be organized by Cartex Publishing House at the Arena stage.

Children are invited on Friday at 10:30 AM to join an imaginative adventure during a comic strip workshop led by author Mihai Grăjdeanu, hosted at Didactica Publishing House’s stand.

Later on, Adina Rosetti will meet young readers at the ART Publishing House stand, at 12:00 PM, for the launch of her book “Ultima provocare” (The Final Challenge), which explores the struggles and anxieties of leaving childhood behind in today’s world.

At 1:00 PM, Polirom Publishing House will host two history-themed workshops at its stand, based on the books “History Told to Children”, “We Are Unstoppable”, and “A Graphic History”, also part of the Bookfest Junior program.

Also on Friday, at 2:00 PM, ART Publishing House invites children to its stand for a drawing and illustrated autograph session with Dan Ungureanu, illustrator of the beloved story “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, now released in the Arthur Retro collection.

On Saturday at 11:00 AM, the Comic Opera for Children will launch the book “Bubu Explores the Comic Opera for Children” by Andreea Soare and Irina Furdui, at the Bookfest Junior Club.

Meanwhile, StoryCraft Publishing House invites teenagers to the Women Writers' Café, also on Saturday at 11:00 AM, for the launch of the new Teens collection.
The event will feature authors such as:
– Diana Cibu, with her book “Popol Vuh. The Lost Manuscript”
– Rebeca Sala, with “The Boy from the Dream and the Killer's Secret” – a gripping story about family secrets, trust, and the difficult choices that shape us
– Raul Pacea, with “The Last Curse of Camelot” – a novel about a descendant of Merlin, a secret-filled Bucharest, and a witch who never gave up her thirst for revenge
– Alina Skylark, with “Player: FireMoon and the Golden Apples”

Books Become Performances and Cartoons: The Invisibles by Ioana Pârvulescu and the Țup Series by Alex Donovici

The day continues with an interactive poetry workshop for children, organized by Cartex Publishing House and led by Carmen Tiderle and Ramona Boldizsar, taking place at the Bookfest Junior Club starting at 11:00 AM.

At 11:30 AM, Humanitas Publishing House invites young readers to its stand for the launch of an exceptionally illustrated edition of The Cat and the Devil by James Joyce. The French folk tale, retold with wit by Joyce, will be discussed by Lidia Bodea and Radu Paraschivescu, the latter also serving as the translator of this new edition.

Bookfest 2025 also celebrates a very special book that, in less than two years since its release, has become an emotional musical with a charming message: The Invisibles by Ioana Pârvulescu. On Children’s Day, June 1st, the Arena stage will host a flashmob based on the musical. During the event, actors will engage passers-by by saying, “Have you heard? Laura can’t read!” and directing their attention to the stage, where two young girls (playing Laura in alternating roles) will be performing. Led by the “Librarian of Librarians” (Adrian Nour), the cast will perform selected scenes from the musical and introduce the story to the audience.

After the flashmob, a discussion panel will follow with author Ioana Pârvulescu, director and screenwriter Claudia Ciobanu, composer Cornel Ilie, actors Adrian Nour and Ecaterina Ladin, and producer Andrei Boncea. They will talk about the journey of a book becoming a musical.

Also on the Arena stage, at 1:00 PM, Curtea Veche Publishing and ProTV will present the animated series Țup, adapted from the book series by Alex Donovici.

Gabriel Liiceanu Pays Tribute to Mario Vargas Llosa

The România de Mâine Foundation Publishing House will address the state of national industry during the launch of the volume If There’s No Industry, There’s Nothing: The Reindustrialization of Romania and the Economist at the Prince’s Court. Economic Studies and Essays by professor Mircea Coșea, on Wednesday at 5:00 PM, at the publisher’s stand.

Also noteworthy is the Thursday 4:00 PM launch at the Vremea Publishing House stand of the newest book by Coriolan Babeți, titled Wanderer Among Paradises.

At 4:30 PM the same day, Humanitas Publishing House will present the book Romania After the First World War: A Complex Modernization by Alberto Basciani and Cristina Brăgea. The collected studies, written by experts in Romanian and interwar European history, explore various facets of the modernization process: the attitude of Romanian elites toward the new state structure, the unification of different legal systems across regions, interconfessional issues, and interethnic relations.

Finally, Gabriel Liiceanu, Romanian editor of Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, will participate in a roundtable tribute titled In Memoriam Mario Vargas Llosa (1936–2025) on Thursday at 5:00 PM on the Arena stage, held on the occasion of the launch of The Feast of the Goat, written by the author who passed away earlier this year. The dialog between Gabriel Liiceanu and his guests will take place on the Arena stage.

Andrei Pleșu Discusses the Aftermath of Tsar Alexander II’s Assassination

Cartex Publishing House invites the public on Friday at 3:00 PM, to the Arena stage, to step into the world of Mircea Eliade, with the launch of the book Shamanism Before and After Mircea Eliade, written by Giovanni Casadio.

At 4:00 PM, a highly anticipated meeting will take place on the Arena stage, featuring writer Andrei Pleșu, journalist Marian Voicu, and Basarabian author and publicist Val Butnaru. The event is organized around the launch of Val Butnaru’s historical novel Insomnia, published by Arc, which is set in the years following the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. The discussion will conclude with a book signing session.

Catherine Nixey and Her New “Heresy,” Presented at the Humanitas Stand

On Friday at 5:30 PM, Humanitas Publishing House invites readers to flip through the pages of history in a debate featuring Sabina Fati, Cristian Preda, and Tudor Dinu. The discussion will revolve around several recent historical titles:
– The Black Sea Empire: The Glory and Decline of the World of Mithridates the Great by Duane W. Roller
– 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline
– Heresy: Jesus Christ and the Other Sons of God by Catherine Nixey
– The Antichrist: A 2000-Year History by Philip C. Almond

At the same time, 5:30 PM, but at the Women Writers’ Café, the Publishing House for Art and Literature will present the novel Eight Hundred Meters, One Thousand Six Hundred Steps to You by Simona Ferrante.

Ferrante’s novel tells the haunting stories of people forced to leave their homelands due to the fragility of the world and the complex nature of the human spirit—fear, hope, survival. It also explores the beauty of human connection that arises in the midst of suffering. It is a book about courage and resilience, about longing and impossible choices, about shame and dignity, and about unexpected friendships and redemptive love.

An Initiatory Journey into the World of Fernando Pessoa

On Friday afternoon, Polirom Publishing House has prepared a meeting with literary critic and author Mihai Zamfir, who will present his latest novel, The Fall of the Curtain, starting at 6:00 PM.

At 6:30 PM, readers are invited to the Polirom stand for the launch of the short story collection All the Men in My Life by Petre Barbu, published in the Fiction Ltd. series.

Meanwhile, at 6:00 PM, on the Arena stage, Humanitas Fiction, together with the Camões Institute, will host the roundtable discussion From The Book of Disquiet to The Education of the Stoic, dedicated to Fernando Pessoa. Moderated by Denisa Comănescu, the event will feature Ana-Rita Sousa, Dinu Flămând, Paul Cernat, and Corina Nuțu.

A Weekend in Van Gogh’s World

Saturday at Bookfest invites the public into the world of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. At 11:30 AM, on the Arca stage, the Publishing House for Art and Literature will present the volume The Beauty in Van Gogh’s World and Other Essays. In his latest book, essayist Cosmin Neidoni affirms himself as a philosopher with an artistic background.

At 12:00 PM, Humanitas Publishing House will launch the photo album The Atlas of Beauty: A New Journey. Portraits and Stories about the Power of Women by Mihaela Noroc. The book includes 500 new portraits from over 60 countries — a visual tribute to the diversity, beauty, and strength of women around the world.

Also at 12:00 PM, Polirom Publishing House will launch the novel Job and His Justice. Author Adrian Miroiu addresses a profound theme emphasized throughout theological tradition: the existence, purpose, and spread of evil, and the idea of divine justice.

Mircea Cărtărescu’s Latest Journal

At 12:30 PM, Humanitas Publishing House invites the public to meet beloved author Doina Ruști, who will present her autobiographical novel Ferenike. The book “reconfirms Doina Ruști’s infallible storytelling instinct. A cinematic, formidable prose with mythological undertones, where scenes unfold before our eyes — some looping obsessively, like a haunting reminder of past suffering, viewed with total clarity” (Roxana Dumitrache). The talk, with guests Bogdan Stănescu and Lidia Bodea, will be followed by a book signing.

Fans of detective fiction will have the opportunity to reconnect with the spirit of Rodica Ojog-Brașoveanu through Liliana Calancea’s new book Rodica Ojog-Brașoveanu: 320 Cats in Bellu Cemetery, published as part of Polirom’s Biographical Novels series. The launch will take place at the publisher’s stand at 1:00 PM.

At 1:30 PM, at the Humanitas stand, Mircea Cărtărescu will discuss his new book Seven Strange Years. Journal 2018–2024, together with Dan-Liviu Boeriu and Lidia Bodea.

New Releases in the Polirom Library

At 2:00 PM, Tracus Arte Publishing House will launch the debut short story collection Love and Other Imperfections by Irina Forgo.

At the same time, Polirom Publishing House will showcase new titles in its Polirom Library series:
– Your Absence is Darkness by Jón Kalman Stefánsson
– Snow by John Banville
– Late Age by Bernhard Schlink
– The Factory by Simone van der Vlugt
– My Friends by Hisham Matar
– The Disoriented by Amin Maalouf

The presentation will be led by Dan Croitoru, editorial director at Polirom, and will include guests Dana Pîrvan, Ariadna Ponta, Florin Iaru, Cristina Ispas, Bogdan Tănase, and Alexandra Cozmolici.

At 2:30 PM, Tatiana Niculescu will meet readers at the Humanitas stand to present her latest novel, Saint No. 6.

Radu Paraschivescu Brings a New Collection of “Gems”

At 3:00 PM, at the Humanitas stand, Gabriel Liiceanu will launch his newest book The Second Life of My Books, a collection of interviews from recent years.

At 3:30 PM, Radu Paraschivescu will present his latest humorous anthology By Virtue of Ineptitude: A New Collection of Pearls.

To celebrate Humanitas Publishing House’s 35th anniversary, readers are invited at 6:40 PM to the launch of the collective volume Letters to Readers of 2125, coordinated by Ioana Pârvulescu. Contributors include Lidia Bodea, Dan-Liviu Boeriu, Gabriel Liiceanu, Cristian Mungiu, Radu Paraschivescu, and Andrei Pleșu.

What We Didn’t Know About the National Legionary State

At 2:30 PM, Humanitas Fiction will present two books at its stand:
– I Gave You Eyes and You Looked into the Darkness by Irene Solà
– The Black Eye of the River by Jeanette Winterson
Guests include Jana Matei, Alina Purcaru, and Denisa Comănescu, the director of Humanitas Fiction.

Also at 3:00 PM, on the Arca stage, Corint Publishing House will launch the book The National Legionary State by Florin Müller. The volume aims to shed light on Romanian history following the proclamation of the National Legionary State on September 6, 1940, especially in light of recent public discourse.

Bookfest Bucharest 2025 is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Written by News.ro | 28 mai 2025, 07:00