The 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair, the only event of the Romanian publishing industry that managed to acquire a significant international dimension, held this year between May 29 and June 2, is bringing Republic of Moldova as guest of honor.
That is precisely why the presence of the Republic of Moldova at Bookfest 2024 is a sign of the closeness and special relationship between the two countries. “I embrace you, Republic of Moldova” is the slogan proposed by the invited country.
“The invitation addressed to the Republic of Moldova came as a natural continuation of the excellent relations we share with colleagues across the Prut, including on the occasion of the six editions of Bookfest Chisinau already held there. But we also share many of the problems of the book market, starting with the small audience and the lack of a decent distribution infrastructure. We hope that this Bookfest 2024 will be a chance for firm steps on a common path that we want to be as bright as possible”, said Grigore Arsene, President of the Romanian Publishers Association.
The motto “I embrace you, Republic of Moldova” is the umbrella that brings together the almost 40 events from the country’s program invited to this year’s edition of the Bookfest Book Fair. A rich program, which includes events with a diverse architecture: from book launches to debates on the most current topics.
“It is a privilege and a great joy to be, for the first time, a country of honor at the Bookfest International Book Fair in Bucharest. The largest and most important publishing event in the Romanian language opens its arms and heart wide for a literary community that also creates in the Romanian language – that of the Republic of Moldova. But even more valuable is the chance offered to the reading public these days: that of discovering, through the authors present or through the pages of a book, a literature which, being “over the border”, is at the same time so close and so alive. Because she is Romanian, just like the world she tells about. Today, through books and culture, we take another step towards finding our nation, towards rebuilding the destroyed bridges, to forget that we are a whole. I firmly believe that Bookfest 2024 will give a creative boost to our literature and, at the same time, will motivate Romanian readers to cross the Prut. Through the pages of a book, but also live, to say, as the slogan of our presence at Bookfest 2024 sounds, “I embrace you, Republic of Moldova”, said Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture, Republic of Moldova.
The list of Moldovan authors who will be present at Bookfest includes both well-known writers, poets and prose writers representing several generations, as well as important names from the non-fiction field. The great poet and author of books for children Vasile Romanciuc, the well-known poet, essayist and publicist Arcadie Suceveanu, Oleg Serebrian – writer, political scientist, diplomat and politician, Iulian Ciocan – one of the most translated Romanian authors, the writer, journalist and translator Emilian Galaicu-Păun, the poet and playwright Dumitru Crudu, the well-known writers and publicists Vitalie Ciobanu and Maria Pilchin, the writer and editor Gheorghe Erizanu, Moni Stănilă and Alexandru Vakulovski – writers-bridge between Romania and the Republic of Moldova are on the list of guests.
Also, a consistent number of representatives of the new generation of writers from the Republic of Moldova will be present at Bookfest 2024, names such as: Ion Buzu, Valentina Șcerbani, Alex Bordian, Alex Popescu, Paula Erizanu, Dinu Guțu, Emanuela Iurkin, Alex Cosmescu, Sașa Zare or Dumitru Fanfarov. The list of participants in the events organized by the country invited by the honor is completed by a series of writers born in the Republic of Moldova who settled and experienced success in Romania: Vasile Ernu, Liliana Corobca, Dinu Guțu, Cătălina Bălan, Diana Iepure, along with important Romanian authors.
The entire program of events and the list of participants will be made public in the official press conference, organized the week before the event, on May 23, at 11:00 a.m., at the Humanitas Bookstore in Cișmigiu.
The visual of the Republic of Moldova at the Bookfest as an honored guest country capitalizes on the creation of the beloved Bessarabian plastic artist Glebus Sainciuc (1919-2012), known especially for his collection of papier mâché masks and author of several paintings and graphics that are distinguished by their originality of style . His creation is both the basis of the stand’s graphics and the creation of a multimedia space where projections will run based on Glebus Sainciuc’s drawings, created within the Museums of the Future initiative exhibited at the National Museum of Romanian Literature in Chisinau: 12 animated projections in a story that creates an immersive experience that readers will be able to follow throughout the five days of the book fair.
The stand of the Republic of Moldova as guest of honor will be placed in the central area of Pavilion B2 at Romexpo. In the more than 200 square meters, visitors to Bookfest 2024 will have the opportunity to discover a rich book offer: fiction, non-fiction books, art books, books for children and youth, as well as a selection of rare, old books from the ’60s-’80s.
The Guest Country of Honor events will take place both at the official stand and in special places within the Bookfest International Book Fair. Details about the events of the Country invited by Honor, constantly updated, on bookfest.ro.