Over 30,000 Romanian-language books at Bookfest 2023
The 2023 edition of the International Book Fair Bookfest was launched today in Chisinau. Over five days, thousands of books from the most important publishers in Romania and Moldova will be on display at the Mediacor Center at the State University of Moldova. Visitors will have the opportunity to browse and purchase books, as well as participate in book launches, literary debates, workshops, and meet-and-greets with their favourite authors.
“Over 30,000 Romanian-language books will be on display, and over 90 book launches will be held at the fair itself and at other partner institutions. Young people, children, and adults will have the opportunity to get autographs from authors and meet them in person. In addition, as this is a Romanian book fair, visitors will be eligible for discounts on books,” said Elena Pintilei, director of the National Library.
Igor Șarov, rector of the USM and honorary president of Bookfest, emphasised that this is the main event in the book industry in Moldova.
“The perception in society that there is no reading in Chisinau, either because of the gadgets that young people are using, which are directed towards other areas, is wrong. Just because we don’t know a world doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And this is not being said by us, as rectors and ministers, but by the publishers from Romania and Moldova who do the final accounting. Chisinau is among the top places in terms of book sales, which speaks to the thirst of those who are passionate about books,” said the USM rector.
In this context, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan announced the launch of a program to translate the works of Moldovan authors into other languages.
“It is very important to have books in our society, in our communities. It is very important to have diversity and collections of books for certain groups, certain age categories. Starting next year, we will have a program to translate authors into other languages, in other countries, and to publish books in other countries,” emphasised Minister Sergiu Prodan.
The International Book Fair Bookfest will take place from August 30 to September 3. The event has reached its sixth edition.
