The year 2025 brings to Romania an impressive selection of book fairs, held in the country’s major cultural centers. Each of them offers a unique atmosphere, a rich program of activities, and rare opportunities to meet literary figures, publishers, translators, and illustrators. Moreover, book fairs are becoming increasingly interactive, featuring workshops for children, book signings, conferences, book launches, and debates on current topics.

For reading enthusiasts, as well as those seeking inspiration or looking to support local culture, these fairs are true celebrations of the written word. Visiting a book fair can also be a travel experience in itself, as some events are hosted in cities worth discovering from a touristic point of view. This way, you can combine the joy of reading with the pleasure of exploring new places.

Below, we’ve selected five of the most relevant and well-regarded book fairs in Romania that we consider unmissable during the summer and autumn of 2025. Whether you're an avid reader, a student looking for vacation reading, a teacher, or simply a curious visitor, these events will offer you meaningful moments and an authentic reconnection with the world of books.

1. Gaudeamus Bucharest 2025 – The Heart of Romania’s Publishing Scene

The Gaudeamus Book Fair in Bucharest is, without a doubt, the most important book-related event in Romania. Organized by Radio Romania, this fair is a true cultural institution, with a tradition spanning over three decades. The 2025 edition will take place from December 3–7 at Romexpo’s Pavilion B2 and promises, as always, a memorable experience for readers, publishers, and authors alike.

(source: Radio România)

Every year, Gaudeamus brings together the most important publishing houses in the country, along with numerous international guests. Visitors can browse and purchase the latest book releases, from novels and children’s books to essays, volumes on science, art, spirituality, and personal development. It is the ideal place to discover the freshest autumn titles and make inspired purchases ahead of the winter holidays.

But the event goes far beyond book sales. Over the course of five days, Gaudeamus becomes a true platform for dialogue and creativity. Book launches, autograph sessions, debates, public readings, children's workshops, and meetings with literary figures are all organized. It’s a rare opportunity for the public to interact directly with their favorite authors in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Another major advantage is free admission, which encourages participation from a wide audience of all ages. The fair is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the organizers promise modern facilities, spacious areas, and smooth logistics.

For book lovers, Gaudeamus Bucharest is more than just a fair – it’s an annual tradition, a cultural landmark, and a source of joy. Whether you're coming to discover new titles, buy a gift, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, Gaudeamus is worth every minute spent there.

More information about the schedule, the list of participating publishers, and special events can be found on the official Gaudeamus website.

2. SepsiBook 2025 – A Literary Festival of Diversity and Dialogue

Between May 22 and 25, 2025, the city of Sfântu Gheorghe, in the heart of Székely Land, becomes the host of one of Romania’s most promising cultural events: SepsiBook – a book fair and literary festival dedicated to multiculturalism, education, and intergenerational and intercultural dialogue.

Now in its fourth edition, SepsiBook takes place in a modern and spacious venue – Sepsi Arena – and brings together publishing houses from across the country, established authors, illustrators, translators, and hundreds of passionate readers of all ages.

The event stands out not only for its rich editorial offering but also for its unique concept: promoting contemporary literature in a space where Romanian and Hungarian cultures coexist in harmony. Public readings, bilingual book launches, discussions between authors of diverse backgrounds, and workshops for children and youth create an open, friendly, and deeply educational atmosphere.

(source: We Radio Sfântu Gheorghe)

For the 2025 edition, the organizers have announced the participation of prominent names from the European literary scene: Sofi Oksanen (Finland), Timo Parvela (children’s literature author), as well as renowned Romanian writers such as Mircea Cărtărescu, who will host reading sessions, public meetings, and themed lectures.

Another strong point of the festival is its focus on children’s and young adult literature. Storytelling workshops, author meetups for young readers, interactive activities, and puppet theatre performances all contribute to nurturing a love for reading from an early age.

Beyond the literary component, SepsiBook also offers a wide range of complementary events: film screenings, book illustration exhibitions, musical performances, and cultural debates. All of this takes place in a modern and welcoming environment that encourages community-wide participation.

Admission is free, making SepsiBook an ideal weekend destination for families, teachers, students, and cultural tourists visiting the area.

So, if you’re planning a spring getaway to Covasna in 2025, be sure to include SepsiBook on your list. It’s not just a book fair – it’s an experience that celebrates the power of words, the beauty of diversity, and the joy of reading.

More information about the schedule and guest list can be found on the official SepsiBook website.

3. Bookfest Bucharest 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Literature Under the Sign of Portuguese Culture

Between May 28 and June 1, 2025, Bucharest once again becomes the literary capital of Romania by hosting the 18th edition of the International Book Salon Bookfest, one of the most important and anticipated cultural events dedicated to books and literature. The event will take place in Pavilion B2 of the Romexpo Exhibition Complex, a modern and spacious venue that offers ideal conditions for meetings between authors, publishers, readers, and culture enthusiasts from across the country.

Organized by the Romanian Publishers Association and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Bookfest 2025 promises a rich edition filled with events, book launches, and debates for all audiences – from children to adults, from fans of Romanian and international literature to researchers and professionals in the field.

One of the most exciting aspects of this edition is the Guest of Honour: Portugal, a country with a remarkable literary tradition, which will be highlighted through a series of special events, book launches, and dedicated exhibitions. The theme of this edition – inspired by the renowned work of Portuguese Nobel laureate José Saramago – is “Where the sea ended and the land awaited.” It invites visitors to explore the literary universe of Portugal, rich in symbolism, stories, and reflections on nature and the human condition.

Bookfest 2025 will bring together over 150 exhibitors, offering the public an impressive portfolio of books – over one million volumes available, including thousands of new titles launched during the fair. This makes Bookfest one of the largest publishing events in the region, a unique opportunity to purchase diverse and rare books, meet authors, and take part in cultural discussions.

Beyond the book stands, the Bookfest program is packed with diverse activities: from book signings and literary debates to workshops and performances for children in the specially designed Bookfest Junior area. There will also be literary cafés, film screenings, themed exhibitions, and many other surprises that turn Bookfest into a comprehensive and accessible event for everyone.

Admission is free, so anyone wishing to enjoy the atmosphere of a book festival is welcome without restriction. The fair's generous schedule allows visitors to spend many hours among books and discover new literary worlds.

Bookfest Bucharest 2025 is without a doubt an essential opportunity for all reading enthusiasts, as well as for those who want to get closer to Lusophone culture or enrich their cultural horizons in an enjoyable and accessible way. It's a place where stories come to life, and books become bridges between people and cultures.

For those interested, all details about the schedule, guests, and activities are available on the official Bookfest website.

4. Transylvania International Book Festival in Cluj 2025 – A European Celebration of Ideas and Identity

In the heart of a university city with unmistakable cultural vibrancy, the Transylvania International Book Festival (FICT) returns in the fall of 2025 with an edition that promises to strengthen Cluj’s status as a major intellectual hub of Central Europe. Hosted between September 24–28, 2025, in Piața Unirii, Cluj-Napoca, FICT transforms the city center into a literary agora open to all who believe in the power of the written word, in diversity, and in intercultural dialogue.

Launched in 2013 and growing steadily in scope and prestige, the Transylvania International Book Festival is one of the few literary events in Romania that has explicitly embraced a European vision of books and culture. With guests from dozens of countries, premiere translations, and debates on identity, memory, language, and freedom, FICT has become a place where voices from East and West meet naturally and meaningfully.

A Festival with Academic Spirit and Broad Cultural Access

Organized in partnership with Cluj’s universities, as well as cultural institutes and embassies, the festival blends academic rigor with wide accessibility to the general public. Publishing houses set up their stands outdoors under elegant tents, right in the heart of the city – between St. Michael’s Church and the Matthias Corvinus statue – in a setting that perfectly reflects the idea of living, accessible culture.

In addition to book launches and signing sessions, FICT stands out for its rich program of conferences, colloquiums, debates, and roundtables, bringing together authors, professors, journalists, and audiences from all across Romania and Europe. It is a space where not only books, but also ideas, cultural models, and societal concerns find a legitimate platform for expression.

International Guests, Emerging Literatures, and Timely Themes

The 2025 edition will revolve around the theme “Fiction and Memory in a Fragmented Europe”, exploring the complexity of identities and the role of literature in rebuilding a shared space of reflection and empathy. Authors from Italy, Poland, France, Moldova, Serbia, Spain, and Germany will be present, along with major figures from contemporary Romanian literature.

The festival will continue to support emerging literatures and the voices of young writers, offering visibility platforms for debut authors, literary magazines, translators, and independent publishers. In addition, FICT includes a strong cultural education component, with creative writing workshops, meetings with students, and school reading projects.

Open Access and European Spirit

Admission to all festival events is free, and the organizers, as always, count on the active participation of the local community and visitors from across the country and abroad. FICT is a festival where not only the authors speak, but the audience becomes part of the conversation.

For those who wish to spend the start of autumn in a stimulating intellectual environment, in a city where culture is present on every street corner, the Transylvania International Book Festival in Cluj is an excellent choice.

The full program, guest list, and useful information will be available on the festival’s official website.

Conclusion

The year 2025 promises to be rich in cultural events that celebrate the power of the written word and the vitality of the Romanian publishing scene. From major, well-established fairs like Gaudeamus Bucharest and Bookfest, to regional initiatives with a strong identity imprint such as SepsiBook or the Transylvania International Book Festival in Cluj, all these literary events offer far more than simple opportunities to buy books. They create living spaces for dialogue, idea exchange, and memorable encounters between authors, publishers, readers, and cultural professionals.

Whether you're looking to update your personal library, meet authors you admire, or experience a cultural adventure in a new city, the five book fairs presented in this article are well worth adding to your 2025 cultural travel agenda. Choose one—or why not, several—and let yourself be inspired by the power of the written word and the community of passionate readers.

Books remain a refuge, a bridge between generations, and drivers of knowledge. And book fairs, in all their forms, are the festivals that truly celebrate this.