Green light for book shopping at Gaudeamus International Fair

The 21^st edition of the Gaudeamus International Book Fair, rejoining a record number of over 750 events, kicked off at the Central Pavilion of Romexpo Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

The Fair gathers in an exhibiting area of 14.000 sq. m. over 400 Romanian and foreign publishers, printing houses, educational institutions, cultural institutes and centres, book distributors, multimedia companies, NGOs with a cultural and/or educational profile, professional associations, bookstores, libraries etc. The last edition of Gaudeamus has drawn over 110.000 visitors during the entire the event. Organized by Radio Romania since 1994, GAUDEAMUS IBEF is a complex cultural event, specialized in book exhibition, with a unique concept in the field of similar profile events, being the only book fair in the world to be initiated and organized by a public radio broadcaster.

Director of public radio, Ovidiu Miculescu, said the Fair “constantly remains a growing and more performing event every year. “We are extremely open to our partners, to the publishing houses. Previous years’ experience showed us the written book is still playing first fiddle in the life of our fellow countrymen,” Miculescu said at the opening ceremony, adding the fact many youngsters are coming to Gaudeamus proves there are good signs for the future.

The honorary president of this edition, GADIF president Benoit Rutten, the delegate of Wallonia — Brussels in Romania said, “The group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutions in Romania has received once again the privileged partner for 2014 edition. We consider it as an accreditation of our actions at the previous 2013 edition.”

This year, Russian Federation is Gaudeamus’ guest of honor, Dmitry Itskovich, O.G.I. publishing house’s manager who also organized Russian participation in the fair, saying that Russia has brought over 1,000 books and more than 30 events to Romexpo. “Everybody knows Gaudeamus is an exceptional fair, we have brought more than 1,000 books. There will also be more than 30 activities at our stall- meetings, round tables and all kind of manifestations,” the Russian representative said, as quoted by Agerpres.

Yet, not everybody hailed the Russia’ s ‘guest of honor’ status. About 20 persons belonging to Action 2012 organization staged a protest at the end of the opening event, criticizing Russia being the guest of honor. They were flying the Romanian flag and a banner saying, “Yes to culture, no to occupation”.

Romexpo general manager, C?t?lin Trifu pointed out that Gaudeamus evolved from one year to another. “The fair evolved from the size point of view. If a pavilion of 2,000 square meters used to host Gaudeamus’ first edition, now the 15,000 square meters central pavilion seems to be almost scarce in sheltering this year’ s event. Gaudeamus Fair is already an event through the number of participating companies, publishing houses, through the impressive number of books and book launchings. It is a privilege for Romexpo to host such a exhibiting manifestation,” Trifu said.

Public’s access will be made by entrance tickets (5 lei) and fair passes (10 lei, valid throughout the fair). Children, pupils, students, teachers, librarians, other professionals in the editorial and educational fields, journalists, senior citizens, people with disabilities, organized groups do not pay the entrance fee. Both tickets and passes will enter the Fair Tombola. The big prize of the Tombola will be a Dacia Logan, offered by Automobile Dacia.

 Visiting hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10.00 – 20.00

You can find details on the biggest  Wednesday’s launch event at  http://www.romaniajournal.ro/2000-people-attended-iohannis-book-launch-at-gaudeamus-4000-copies-sold-out-on-the-spot/