The Literary Map is the first interactive map of places featured in books and locations with literary significance, proposing a new way of exploring the city through literature. Bucharest is the first city included in the project, with over 300 documented locations and more than 600 connections to classic and contemporary works, as well as to significant episodes in the history of Romanian literature.

In 2026, with new funding from the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN), The Literary Map (https://www.hartaliterara.ro/) will expand to Iași and Brașov, using the model already validated in Bucharest: documenting and integrating literary locations into the platform, developing institutional, cultural, and educational partnerships, and organizing events such as literary tours, meetings with writers, and educational activities. Depending on available resources, the project also aims to expand to other cities, with the medium-term goal of achieving national coverage.

Literary tours have been among the most appreciated components of the project. For the four guided tours in Bucharest—led by anthropologist Gruia Bădescu and writers Andreea Răsuceanu, Florin Iaru, and Claudiu Komartin—places sold out quickly, confirming strong public interest in this type of cultural experience.

Further reinforcing the project’s educational role, the creative writing workshop for children, inspired by Bucharest’s literary places and led by writer Ana Maria Sandu, was met with enthusiasm by both children and parents. In the same vein, The Literary Map aims to further develop activities dedicated to students and to provide teachers with alternative tools and methods to bring children closer to Romanian literature.

“We were overwhelmed by the extraordinarily enthusiastic response from the public, as well as by the interest shown by writers, cultural institutions, and the media. The Literary Map has reached schools, museums, universities, libraries, bookstores, cafés, and artistic spaces, as well as some of the most relevant publications. We did not expect such an impact in such a short time, and this makes us even more responsible. We want to expand the project nationwide, organize as many tours and meetings with writers as possible, and continuously develop the platform. To this end, we are still looking for commercial and institutional partners to join us,” said Cristina Foarfă, Project Manager of The Literary Map.

The Literary Map is built on four complementary pillars—cultural, educational, touristic, and urban. The project promotes Romanian literature by connecting it to urban space, offers alternative learning tools and ways of engaging with reading, proposes forms of cultural exploration of the city through literary tours and routes, and contributes to understanding the city as a space of memory, identity, and cultural transformation. Across all these pillars, The Literary Map aims to develop related projects and activities that extend the platform’s use beyond its digital component, bring people closer to reading, and foster a stronger connection with the city.

The project has reached over 500,000 people on social media, built an active community, generated more than 40 appearances in national media, developed partnerships with relevant cultural and artistic institutions, brought together over 400 participants at events, and recorded more than 15,000 active users on the platform.

The Literary Map is a cultural project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN). The project does not necessarily reflect the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the project’s content or for how the results of the project may be used; these are entirely the responsibility of the funding beneficiary.

Written by Aura Marinescu