& 20 years after the first edition initiated by Gabriel Liiceanu in 2006, the Bookfest International Book Fair returns to Romexpo between June 3-7

& The best authors from Bulgaria and Romania are waiting for you during the five days with the freshest titles and autograph sessions

& Gheorghi Gospodinov and Mircea Cărtărescu, two of the most important writers of contemporary Europe, enter into dialogue on the very first day of Bookfest

& The publishing houses have prepared special packages of offers and discounts for visitors throughout the book fair

The XIXth edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair takes place between June 3–7, 2026, in Pavilion B2 at Romexpo, Bucharest.

Long awaited by the guild and the public, Bookfest aims to bring hundreds of book launches, thematic workshops, debates and autograph sessions with the most important personalities of local and international written culture closer to the public. This year's central program promises to be extremely diversified, turning every day into a unique opportunity for visitors to attend conferences, participate in debates of ideas and go home with their favorite volumes signed by the authors of the moment.

Among the cultural personalities who will animate the open stages and stands are Gheorghi Gospodinov, Mircea Cărtărescu, Gabriela Adameșteanu, Gabriel Liiceanu, Cristian Tudor Popescu, Theodor Paleologu, Doina Ruști, Radu Paraschivescu, Horia Roman Patapievici, Tatiana Niculescu, Mircea Mihăieș, Cătălin Vasilescu, Dan-Liviu Boeriu, Lucian Croitoru, Catherine Lovey, Nadia Comăneci, Margareta Pâslaru, Igor Bergler, Alex Donovici, Alec Blenche, Veronica D. Niculescu and many others.

Impressive program of the Guest of Honor - Bulgaria

Bulgaria, the country that holds the status of Guest of Honor at Bookfest 2026, comes to Bucharest with an impressive delegation of 14 writers, poets and creators of children's literature, joined by an impressive number of book professionals. Bulgaria's presence at Bookfest means an extensive program of events that brings together writers, translators, literary agents and cultural managers, a program that proposes to readers over 30 events that will take place both at Romexpo – the stand of the country invited to honor, at the big stages at Bookfest, at the stands of some of the partner publishers – and in some well-known spaces in the city.

On Wednesday, June 3rd, after the official start of this year's edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair (12.00 at the Arena stage), the inauguration of the Bulgarian stand will take place, at 12.30, a moment that marks the beginning of a consistent and dynamic presence of Bulgarian culture at Bookfest.

The day continues on a festive note, with the intervention of the students of the Bulgarian High School "Hristo Botev", who bring the dance and energy of youth directly into the fair space, then the attention shifts to institutional and cultural dialogue, in an event that brings together Kiril Valchev and Claudia-Victoria Nicolae, the directors of the national news agencies of the two countries. The evening invites readers to a rare and profound meeting between two of the most important writers of contemporary Europe: Gheorghi Gospodinov and Mircea Cărtărescu, under the theme "Interior Geographies: Sofia, Bucharest and the Literature of Memory".

Anton Pann and the Balkan stories we share

On Thursday, June 4, the program continues with a series of events dedicated to the Bulgarian book market, translation and circulation of ideas between cultural spaces. Topics such as national publishing, presented by the Bulgarian Book Association, but also the experience of Bulgarian translators in Romania, are addressed, in a dialogue that brings together important voices of contemporary literary translation. The day also includes a broad perspective on Bulgaria's cultural infrastructure, from funding mechanisms to distribution and promotion. Next, literature becomes a space of common memory in the event dedicated to Anton Pann and Balkan stories, held in partnership with the National Museum of Romanian Literature, and the evening ends with a series of book launches.

On Friday, June 5th, Bookfest becomes a space for reflection on stories and their role in the contemporary world, through the meeting with Petia Kokudeva, who presents her first translation into Romanian, but also through dialogues about the reinvention of the fairy tale, about poetry and about the forms in which literature reflects violence, memory and social transformation. The day brings together writers and critics from Romania and Bulgaria, in a program that explores both children's literature and contemporary poetry and the relationship between text and filmmaking, culminating with a literary-musical performance dedicated to contemporary Bulgarian poetry.

Three powerful voices of literature: Ioanna Elmy, Elena Alexieva and Nadezhda Radulova

On Saturday, June 6, the focus falls on Eastern European literature as a space of memory and confrontation with social reality, through meetings dedicated to contemporary prose, women's writing and the role of literary awards in shaping the current canon. The Day brings together authors such as Elena Alexieva and Ioanna Elmy, translated in Anansi. World Fiction, respectively Polirom, but also poets and critics involved in dialogues about the transformations of recent literature, ending with an evening dedicated to contemporary Bulgarian poetry and a literary-musical performance.

On Sunday, June 7, the program proposes a closure with a historical and memorial stake, through book launches and dialogues on history, fiction and identity in South-Eastern Europe, in a route that connects the archives of history with the fiction of memory.

The Bookfest program also extends to the city, where meetings continue in cultural spaces in Bucharest, with launches and dialogues that bring contemporary Bulgarian literature to the forefront, from the launch of the latest translation of Gheorghi Gospodinov to poetry events and literary clubs bringing together poets Nadezhda Radulova, Iordan Eftimov, Ivan Hristov and Gheorghi Gavrilov, thus confirming the natural extension of Bookfest beyond its stands,  in the living fabric of the city.

The Frankfurt Book Fair comes to Bookfest Bucharest

At the current edition of Bookfest, the most important book fair in the world, Frankfurter Buchmesse, organizes a collective stand of reference that includes a wide selection of titles (fiction, non-fiction, children's and youth books, strips, graphic novels and romances) from publishers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This consistent presence officially marks the start of preparations for the strategic project Romania - Guest of Honor Country at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2028. Six German, Austrian and Swiss publishers are present in Bucharest for information exchanges and professional contacts, and the program of the "German Stories" events will extend throughout the period of the Bucharest Book Fair.

Professionals from the publishing world and the public interested in the backstage of the book market can participate in a round table dedicated to good practices of international collaboration. The discussion will bring together the experience of Ghergana Pancheva from Sofia Literary Agency, the perspectives of editor and journalist Eli Bădică (senior editor Nemira) and the expertise of Frankfurter Buchmesse's representative, Niki Theron. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 3, at 16:00, right at the German stand. The opportunities for regional collaboration will be actively explored during a professional Editorial Matchmaking event, designed specifically to establish close connections between specialists from Romania, Germany, Austria and Bulgaria. Professionals are expected on Thursday, June 4, between 12:00 and 14:00, at Cinema Bookfest.

Of crucial importance for the cultural future of the country is the debate "The road to Frankfurt 2028 – challenges and opportunities in the development of the Romania Guest Country project". The dialogue will analyze the strategic steps that Romania must follow and will benefit from the interventions of specialists Simone Bühler and Vladka Kupska from Frankfurter Buchmesse, Alexandru Popescu from the Ministry of Culture and Katja Stergar from Slovenia. The debate will take place on Thursday, June 4, at 14:30, on the Arena stage.

Children are spoiled at Bookfest 2026

Early reading and the development of the imagination of the little ones are the pillars of the program dedicated to children, which brings this year interactive events and meetings with beloved authors, meant to bring smiles to the lives of families. In fact, children will be spoiled at Bookfest again this year, with a space dedicated to them, Bookfest Junior, where they will be able to participate in all kinds of interactive events, in addition to all the launches that take place at the common spaces and at the publishers' stands.

The magic of stories comes to life on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m., on the Arena stage, where children will meet Alec Blenche, one of the most beloved authors of children's literature in Romania. During this event organized by Litera Publishing House, the volume "Captain Codiță and the Little Explorers" will be launched, a morning full of imagination being completed by a special autograph session. The same author will also offer dedications to football fans, with the launch of the first two volumes of the "Diary of a Footballer" series.

The spiritual curiosity of the little ones will be stimulated at the Humanitas stand by launching the book "The Story of the Bible", a volume adapted for children by Wilhelm Tauwinkl. The text is enriched with delightful illustrations, and the event will be followed by an autograph session with the author. Also on Saturday, but from 11 a.m., the stand of the Litera publishing house will host an emotional meeting of children with Alex Donovici, dedicated to his new volume "The Lightning Snail and the Power of Love".

Sunday , June 7, brings two exceptional moments offered consecutively by the Humanitas Junior publishing house, both being followed by dedication and autograph sessions. From 11:00 a.m., the mystery hangs over everyone with the launch of the book "Peter Haas and the Ghost of Kronburg", a volume written and illustrated by Ana Alfianu. Immediately after, at 11:30 a.m., the public is invited to discover "Zuza or the story of the poem that was lost from the book", a new literary jewel signed by Matei Vișniec and ennobled by the illustrations made by Joela Vișniec.

Mircea Cărtărescu presents his new book: "Texistence"

A passionate incursion into the world behind the scenes of opera is proposed by Corint Publishing House  through the launch of the book "Hariclea Darclée and the mystery of the missing score" by Alina Bâltâc. Together with the author, the atmosphere of the time will be recreated by the illustrator Diana Tivu, the renowned soprano Felicia Filip (director of the Comic Opera for Children) and Mădălin Guruianu, the discussion being moderated by Simona Preda. The event takes place on Thursday, June 4, at 13:00.

A deep reverence for one of the strongest and most untamed voices of world journalism is proposed by the Black Swan publishing house through the special event "In memoriam Oriana Fallaci, 20 years in the light of courage". On the occasion of the launch of the autobiographical volume "Only I Can Tell My Story", the moment promises the audience an emotional incursion into the life of a woman who defied dictatorships, interviewed world leaders with unprecedented boldness and turned the search for truth into a literary creed. Reflections on his destiny and work will be outlined in a captivating dialogue by guests Adrian Christescu and Sorina Signeanu, offering readers strong reasons for inspiration on Thursday, June 4, starting at 16:00, on the Arca stage.

Fans of mystery and suspense novels are expected on Thursday, June 4, between 16:30 and 17:25, on the Arena stage, where Litera publishing house launches "Gutenberg 42B", the new novel by the prolific Igor Bergler, the event being followed by an autograph session.

Critical thinking and understanding global political news are the central themes of a major collective launch of non-fiction and essays organized at the Humanitas booth  on Thursday, June 4, starting at 4:30 p.m. During this event, reference volumes for the space of contemporary ideas will be debated: "The Chaos Engineers" (Giuliano da Empoli), "Philosophy Went Crazy" (Jean-François Braunstein), "The Identity Trap" (Yascha Mounk) and "Our Homelands. A Personal History of Europe" (Timothy Garton Ash).

In the continuation of the same afternoon, the Humanitas stand will become, we are convinced, too small for a splendid confession about what it means to live through literature: the writer Mircea Cărtărescu will meet with readers to present his latest volume, "Texistence. Thoughts on writing", offering the public an autograph session, on Thursday, June 4, from 17.00.

Why extremists are voted for

The reflection on local realities continues by launching an essential volume of immediate sociological and political research: "Sovereignism in Romania. Why do people vote for extremist politicians?", a rigorous work signed by Alina Pop, Filip Alexandrescu and Ionuț Anghel. Visitors who wish to attend this debate are also expected at the stand of the Humanitas Publishing House, from 18.00.

Friday, June 5, begins under the sign of academic excellence and theological culture. Starting at 15:00, Humanitas Publishing House  presents a monumental project for Romanian culture: "The Bible according to the Hebrew text. 1 and 2 Kings". The team of philologists, theologians and translators who worked hard at this edition will be present at the event, which includes Maria Francisca Băltăceanu and Monica Broșteanu.

An open window to distant cultures is also offered on Friday with the triple launch of highly successful contemporary Asian novels: "108 Bell Rings" by Keiko Yoshimura, "Diary of a Void" by Emi Yagi and "For the Sake of Nadia Comăneci", a novel by the famous South Korean author Cho Nam-Joo, which intertwines the myth of our great gymnast with the aspirations of young people in Korea.

The challenges of the education system and the art of modern pedagogy will be debated at the Polirom stand, during an essential discussion on education on the occasion of the launch of the volume "The Successful Teacher: Pedagogy for the Soul. 50 concepts and events from school life". The work, signed by Ion-Ovidiu Pânișoara, Sorin Cristea and Ionuț Stoican, will be presented in a dialogue moderated by the editorial director of Polirom, Adrian Șerban.

The literary genius of one of the most important European writers will be celebrated on the Arena stage, from 17:00, during a round table organized by the Humanitas Fiction publishing house in partnership with  the Embassy of the Republic of Albania. The event is dedicated to the memory of Ismail Kadare, whose 90th birthday is celebrated, and to his recently translated Romanian volume, "The Time of Love".

In the evening, humor and social criticism meet on the Agora stage, where, from 19:00, the  launch of the essay volume "What we do with so many fools" by Theodor Paleologu will take place. A brilliant incursion into the importance of critical thinking, the event organized by Trei Publishing House  awaits its audience for a memorable debate and an autograph session.

Nadia Comăneci sends "Letters to a young gymnast"

The weekend at Bookfest also brings literary events of special cultural value and meetings with the authors to whom we owe the most beautiful books of this first half of the year.

Thus, on Saturday, June 6, at 11:30 a.m., Humanitas Publishing House  invites its readers to step into the Bucharest of yesteryear through Doina Ruști'  s new novel, "Bulgarian Nose", an incursion impregnated with magical realism into the life of the central character of Ferenike. At the same time, the critic Mircea Mihăieș proposes a deep literary analysis by launching the volume "The four suicides of Virginia Woolf. A psychodrama". This high-class meeting organized by the Polirom publishing house will have as guests of honor Horia-Roman Patapievici and Răzvan Voncu.

An emotional encounter with the local cultural and artistic history will take place on the Agora stage, starting at 12:00, where the unmistakable Margareta Pâslaru, together with Curtea Veche Publishing, launches the memoir "Me and Time. Life, vocation, vision. Continuation". The event will have as guests Cătălin Anchidin and Leonard Popovici, moderated by Ovidiu Șimonca.

The moments of great motivational charge continue from 12.30, at the Humanitas stand, where the public is expected for the launch of the book "Letters to a young gymnast", signed by the legend of world sport herself, Nadia Comăneci. Immediately afterwards, the writer Tatiana Niculescu will present a new, extremely rigorous reference biography: "The Lives and Deaths of Constantin Noica".

The polemical spirits are invited from 13:00 on the Arena stage, host of the launch of the essay volume "Neumanna. In the mouth of a snake" by Cristian Tudor Popescu. A critical incursion into the problems of contemporary society, the volume published by Polirom Publishing House  will be analyzed in a dialogue moderated by Adrian Șerban. In order to allow all those who want to enter into dialogue with Cristian Tudor Popescu, the event will continue, starting at 2 p.m., at the Dada Cafe, where the discussions will be at least as exciting.

"The Păltiniș Trilogy" presented by Gabriel Liiceanu

One of the highlights of the book fair will take place at the Humanitas stand, at 1:30 p.m., with the event-launch of the "Păltiniș Trilogy" by Gabriel Liiceanu, a fundamental work for Romanian culture, followed by a long-awaited autograph session.

Lovers of universal literature have a real treat on the Agora stage, starting at 14:00, where the "Polirom Library" collection  proposes a spectacular literary marathon. Under the coordination of Dan Croitoru and in the presence of a round table made up of leading critics and essayists, seven exceptional translations of great world authors will be debated: Salman Rushdie ("The Eleventh Hour"), Elif Shafak ("There are rivers in the sky"), Patti Smith ("The Bread of Angels"), as well as novelties by Sanam Mahloudji, Sheena Patel, Juan Gabriel Vásquez and Harper Lee.

Modern psychology and successful parenting also find their space at the Polirom publishing house by launching the practical guide "Champion mentality. How to raise successful children", a volume coordinated by Georgeta Pânișoara, together with Olympic champion Gabriela Szabó and expert Radu Predoiu. At the same time, from 2:00 p.m., the Știința publishing house proposes a high-profile academic event: the launch of the new publications of the "Heritage" collection, focused on the work of Panait Istrati ("Writings" in two volumes, critical edition coordinated by Zamfir Bălan, with the participation of guests Valy Ceia and Lucian Chișu, moderated by Mircea V. Ciobanu).

Radu Paraschivescu brings "The New Guide to the Insensitive"

The famous collection "Denise's Shelf" enriches its catalog with the new highly successful novel by the famous international writer Elizabeth Gilbert, "Until the Great River Do Us Part". It symbolically opens the "Humanitas Fiction Evening", dedicated to three other great novelties in universal literature: "The Two Kingdoms. Traversing the Fifth Centuries" by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, "Eighty-Nine Words Followed by Prague, Poem That Disappears" by Milan Kundera and the European phenomenon book on attachment and nature signed by Cédric Sapin-Defour, "His Smell After the Rain".

A captivating incursion into the depths and paradoxes of the Eastern space is proposed by the Cetatea de Scaun publishing house through the triple launch and debate dedicated to the volumes "Medieval Russia", "Imperial Russia" and "Sovietland", signed by the renowned author Antoaneta Olteanu. The public passionate about history, mentalities and geopolitics will have the opportunity to discover a meticulous x-ray of the evolution of the Russian spirit over the centuries, from medieval origins and tsarist greatness to the utopia and harsh realities of the Soviet era. The meeting, doubled by an autograph session with the author, will transform the afternoon of Saturday, June 6, starting at 15:00, into a reference dialogue hosted by Dada Cafe.

Social satire and intelligent humor come back to the fore at 15:45, at the Humanitas stand, where visitors can meet Radu Paraschivescu at the launch of the book "The New Guide to the Foolish. After 20 years". Every literature lover can go home with their own volume accompanied by a dedication, during a spectacular autograph session.

A little later, at 5 p.m., in the same Humanitas stand, it is the turn of doctor Cătălin Vasilescu to take over the baton of satire immersed in medical sciences, in the style he has already consecrated, for the presentation of the latest volume he signs: "Placebo. Surgeons in Search of Immortality", the first part of a trilogy that promises to be now delightful, with the title "Life without death and its clinical forms".

Armand Goșu deciphers the fate of the war in Ukraine

The relationship between economics and ethics is the topic of debate proposed by Curtea Veche Publishing on the Arena stage, at 3 p.m., on the occasion of the launch of the volume "Letter to Augustin" by the renowned economist Lucian Croitoru, who will take the stage alongside Horia-Roman Patapievici and Cristian Preda. Subsequently, the same space will host the celebration of the famous "Gabriela Adameșteanu" Author Series and the launch of her new volume, "Times without Patience". Along with the great writer, Carmen Mușat, Cristina Ispas, Daniel Cristea-Enache and Victor Cobuz will be present, the dialogue being moderated by Matei Martin.

Saturday evening ends on the Agora stage, at 18:00, with an extremely topical debate organized by Cărturești: "All books have a voice. A conversation about the print and audio format of the book and the reading experience". The challenges of the new way of consuming the story will be discussed by Ana Nicolau (Nemira), Ana Antonescu (AudioTribe) and actor and narrator Mihai Baranga, moderated by Raul Pavel.

The last day of the Book Fair brings to the fore lucid analyses of contemporary realities and the literary testament of Mario Vargas Llosa, together with the writer Catherine Lovey, the special guest at Bookfest Bucharest.

On Sunday, June 7, from 14:00, on the Arena stage, the public is invited to the launch of a major geopolitical volume of immediate history: "The Endless War. How the invasion of Ukraine changed the rules of the game", signed by historian and analyst Armand Goșu and published by Polirom Publishing House. An extremely lucid x-ray of the regional conflict, the book will be debated by the author together with his guests, Cristian Preda and Lucian Popescu.

As with all Bookfest events, the public will be free to enter the Salon. Bookfest Bucharest 2026 can be visited between 10 am and 8 pm (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday) and 10 am to 9 pm (Friday and Saturday).

The Bookfest International Book Fair is an event held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania.

The Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Publishers' Association, under the aegis of the Romanian Publishers' Federation, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and  the Bulgarian Embassy in Romania.

Main Partner: Dedeman Association

Project co-financed by the Romanian Ministry of Culture.

Media partners: TVR, TVR Cultural, Rock FM, Booknation, Children's News.

Bookfest is the most important book fair in Romania and the only event of the publishing industry that has managed to gain a significant international dimension. Over 170 exhibitors were present at the 2024 Bookfest International Book Fair (Bucharest, May 28 - June 1, 2024), the five-day program comprising over 400 events, from launches and debates to film screenings and interactive events. The Guest of Honor of the 2024 edition was the Republic of Moldova. At previous international editions, the invited countries were: Spain, Hungary, France, German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Poland, Czech Republic, Israel, Sweden, United States of America, Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Republic of Moldova and Portugal.