Romania ranks last in the European Union when it comes to the publishing industry, according to Grigore Arsene, president of the Publishers Association of Romania (AER). Moreover, there are counties in Romania with no bookstores.

“Romania comes last in the EU when it comes to the publishing industry from all points of view, if we look at the figures. There are some things we are good at, such as the fact that we are synchronized with major European appearances and that we produce increasingly more writers translated into many languages,” said Arsene at a press conference about this year’s edition of Bookfest international book fair, reports local Mediafax.

He added that there are some “timid signs” that the Government is trying to help the book market, such as the possible VAT cut on books.

Book fairs such as Bookfest are important in Romania as there are areas with no bookstores, Arsene said.

“If there were 550 bookstores in Romania four years ago, now there are only 150, and the rest are probably small units only few books. The books don’t reach a lot of areas. There are cities with 70,000 inhabitants without any bookstore, and there are counties with no bookshops,” he added.

So far, a total of over 1 million people attended Bookfest. This year’s edition is expected to attract some 100,000 people.

Bookfest will take place at Romexpo in Bucharest, between May 20 and May 24. This year, the guest of honor is the Czech Republic. The entrance is free.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com