Bookfest Chisinau opens September 2

Bookfest Chișinău opened on Wednesday at the Mediacor Centre of the State University of Moldova, starting a five-day book fair that organizers said will run through September 6. More than 700 book titles are on display and about 80 events are scheduled, according to organizers and local media. The fair brings together more than 30 publishers from Moldova and Romania, along with writers, editors and readers. Admission is free, and the public is expected daily between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ### Where is Bookfest Chișinău being held this year? The 2026 edition is being held at the Mediacor Centre of the State University of Moldova in Chișinău, according to organizers. Moldpres reported that this is the ninth edition of Bookfest Chișinău and that the event is taking place from September 2 to September 6. (logos-pres.md) This year’s edition is being staged under the high patronage of Romanian President Nicușor-Daniel Dan and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Moldpres said. The state news agency also said it is a media partner of the project. ### How large is the fair? Organizers said more than 700 books are being presented in Chișinău this year and around 80 events are planned during the fair. (moldpres.md) Those events include book launches, debates, meetings with authors and autograph sessions, Logos Press reported on September 2. More than 30 publishing houses from Moldova and Romania are participating, presenting new releases to visitors, according to Logos Press. (moldpres.md) Moldpres separately described the program as five days of books, meetings with writers and cultural events. ### Who is organizing the event? The National Library of the Republic of Moldova, the State University of Moldova, AO ProEuropa, the Union of Publishers of the Republic of Moldova, the Association of Publishers of Romania and the Alma Mater-USM Foundation are the organizers of Bookfest Chișinău, according to Moldpres and Logos Press. (logos-pres.md) Dan Surucanu, Moldova’s culture minister, said at the opening ceremony that Bookfest plays a role in promoting reading and strengthening cultural ties between Moldova and Romania, according to Logos Press. ### Which writers are expected to appear? Moldpres listed invited participants including Ioana Pârvulescu, Bogdan-Alexandru Stănescu, Dan Lungu, Lucian Dan Teodorovici, Bogdan Crețu, Doina Ruști, Andreea Răsuceanu, Cristian Preda and Simona Antonescu. (moldpres.md) The same report also named Sabina Fati, Andrei Crăciun, Dan Sociu, Moni Stănilă, Maria Pilchin, Emilian Galaicu-Păun, Dumitru Crudu, Vitalie Ciobanu and Iulian Ciocan. (logos-pres.md) The program spans literature, history, science, education and children’s books, Moldpres said, with Romanian-language titles from publishers on both sides of the Prut River. ### What happens next during the week? Bookfest Chișinău continues in Chișinău through September 6 with launches, debates and author meetings scheduled across the five-day run. (moldpres.md) Visitors can attend each day from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mediacor Centre, according to Moldpres.