The Republic of Moldova will be the guest of honor country of the 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair that will take place in Bucharest, Romexpo, between May 29 and June 2, IPN reports.
Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan noted that it is for the first time that the Republic of Moldova participates in an international book fair as a guest of honor.
Victor Chirilă, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania, said that although Bookfest is an idea that was born in Bucharest, it is also the holiday of the Republic of Moldova, where Bookfest is organized every year on the Romanian Language Day, on August 31. It is an honor for Moldova to be the guest of honor in Bucharest, after such states as Germany, the U.S., Japan, Italy and others. The special guest is actually the language and culture, which are common.
Lidia Bodea, vice-president of the Romanian Publishers Association, said that they have long wanted Moldova to be at the center of the book fair. Between writers, at least for now, between artists in general, there are no borders and they feel part of the same culture.
She added that the event will be attended by 200 exhibitors, 150 publishing houses of Romania and Moldova. There will be staged more than 40 events for the public. These can be found in the online catalogue and in information materials at the fair. The tradition of debates, discussions, events that go beyond the usual type of a book launch and autographs event is continued. There will be held a debate om the importance of voting because it is an election year, a debate on the ideal profile of a presidential candidate, events for children and young people.
The events of the Republic of Moldova as a guest country will take place both at the stand and at the most important stages of the fair.
The fair starts every day at 10.00 and closes at 20.00. On weekends it will close at 21.00.