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THE GAUDEAMUS INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
The Gaudeamus International Book Fair currently underway in Bucharest, has been organized by the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation and includes a large Francophone element. Speaking now is the Fair’s Honorary President, France’s ambassador to Romania, Herve Bolot.
“I am very happy to be here at the Gaudeamus Bookfair. This is a remarkable initiative, whose scope stands proof of the fact that literature is doing fine, that there really is demand for literature and the pleasure that books bring, that reading and its power to excite the imagination, remains invaluable. The world that Gutenberg gave birth to still has sunny days ahead, though new worlds are gaining ground.”
France has come to this Fair for the second time; it is participating alongside new comers from Wallonie, Brussels, which also has a national stand in the Fair. This book fair’s programme includes book-launches and meetings with French writers, meant to bring French literature closer to the Romanian public. Over 250 Romanian as well as foreign publishers are taking part in the event, trying to attract as many booklovers as possible, and turn them into faithful customers. 87 thousand people visited the Fair last year; organizers expect that this year figure will exceed 100 thousand.
Visitors to the complex can take part in exhibitions, book launches, meetings with writers; they can also take part in a theme photography exhibition with the title “READING”, and can participate in a special tombola with a Dacia Logan car up for grabs. The Fair’s also traditionally includes ”The Education Stock Exchange”, hosting offers made by educational institutions, as well as a children’s book exhibition. This edition of Gaudeamus includes an area tailored for meetings and discussions, entitled “The Contacts Stock Exchange.” The Romanian Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs Adrian Iorgulescu praised the organizers for the importance this cultural event has gained.
“This is an extraordinary way for visitors, allowing them to come into direct contact with books. Someone said earlier “The book never surrenders, the book never dies.” Books and literature have indeed charted their own course, and all of us here have a moral and professional duty to do our best to support this destiny.”
For the first time ever, the Bookfair has a library where readers can sit down and leaf through a book, shrouded in the quiet pleasure reading provides, over a cup of tea or coffee.
(Leyla Keamil)
I want to go.
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