Bookfest, Romania’s most important book fair, returns to Bucharest this week. The tenth edition of the event will take place at Romexpo between May 20 and May 24.

Visitors will have 1 million titles to choose from, brought to them by some 200 publishing houses. The program will also include some 300 events, such as book launches, debates and movie screenings, according to the organisers.

The most anticipated book is First Step (Primul Pas), written by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. The book will be available starting May 20 at Curtea Veche Publishing’s stand while the President himself will launch the book on May 23, 15:00. The book is a chronicle of last year’s presidential elections and the following months, from Iohannis’ point of view.

Klaus Iohannis won last year’s presidential elections and assumed office on December 21, 2014.

This is the second book signed by Romania’s President, after Step by Step (Pas cu Pas). His book was an absolute bestseller last year, selling 130,000 copies.

Former presidential adviser Adriana Saftoiu will also launch a book at this year’s edition of the fair, on May 24, 12:00. Former President Traian Basescu is among the book’s protagonists.

Romanian movie Aferim!, for which film director Radu Jude won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film festival this year, will be screened on May 21, 17:00. After the screening, Trei Parale will entertain the public with traditional music.

The Czech Republic is the event’s guest of honor. Find the entire program of the event here.

On May 20, 21 and 24, the fair is open between 10:00 and 20:00, while on May 22 and 23 it stays open until 21:00. The entrance to the event is free.

The 2014 edition of Bookfest attracted some 100,000 visitors between May 29 and June 1.

New Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signs over 2,000 books at the launch of his autobiography

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