Bookfest Chișinău opens with over 700 books

Bookfest Chișinău opened on September 2 at the Mediacor Centre of Moldova State University, launching a five-day book fair that organizers said brings together publishers, writers and readers from Moldova and Romania. The 2026 edition features more than 700 book titles and about 80 events, according to organizers and local media reports. (logos-pres.md) More than 30 publishing houses are taking part in the fair, which runs through September 6 in the Moldovan capital. Public access is free, with programming scheduled daily at the venue on Alexei Mateevici Street. ### How big is this year’s Bookfest in Chișinău? More than 700 books are on display at the 2026 fair, Logos Press reported, while organizers also scheduled roughly 80 events including launches, debates, meetings with authors and autograph sessions. (bookfest.ro) Moldpres said the fair opened with hundreds of titles and a “rich schedule” of cultural events over five days. More than 30 publishing houses from Moldova and Romania are participating, according to Logos Press and pre-event notices carried by Romanian and Moldovan outlets. Those publishers are presenting new Romanian-language titles and other recent releases during the fair. (logos-pres.md) ### Where is the fair being held this year? The Mediacor Centre at Moldova State University is hosting the 2026 edition from September 2 to September 6, according to the Bookfest site and Moldovan cultural listings. The venue is at 60 Alexei Mateevici Street in Chișinău. Moldpres said some events are also being held at other cultural venues in the capital, but the official opening was scheduled for Mediacor on September 2. (logos-pres.md) The Bookfest events page lists the opening ceremony at 12:00 p.m. local time at Mediacor. ### Who is behind the event? (logos-pres.md) Bookfest.ro said the fair is being held under the honorary high patronage of Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Romanian President Nicușor-Daniel Dan. Moldpres reported the same patronage arrangement in its coverage of the opening. The Romanian Cultural Institute, through its National Book Center and the “Mihai Eminescu” Romanian Cultural Institute in Chișinău, said it is participating in the fair’s ninth edition. (bookfest.ro) Its program includes a round table on contemporary Romanian literature from the Republic of Moldova, according to the Bookfest events page and institute-related notices. (moldpres.md) ### What is on the program besides book sales? The Bookfest events page lists debates, book launches and themed discussions across the opening day and the rest of the week. Scheduled items include a debate titled “Frankfurt 2028,” launches by Paralela 45 and ARC Publishing House, and discussions on Bessarabian history and literature. (bookfest.ro) TV8 reported before the opening that invited participants included Ioana Pârvulescu, Dan Lungu, Doina Ruști, Cristian Preda, Maria Pilchin, Emilian Galaicu-Păun, Dumitru Crudu and Vitalie Ciobanu. The outlet said the public would be able to attend launches, author meetings and debates on current topics. (bookfest.ro) ### How long do visitors have to attend? Bookfest Chișinău runs until September 6, with free entry to all events in the program, according to Bookfest.ro and local event listings. The fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., those notices said. (bookfest.ro) September 6 is the last scheduled day of the fair at the Mediacor Centre, and the official program page continues to list events and participating institutions for the remainder of the week. Readers can follow the day-by-day schedule through the Bookfest events program and on-site sessions in Chișinău. (bookfest.ro 1) (bookfest.ro 2) (tv8.md)