This spotlight offers an exceptional opportunity for Romanian readers and the broader publishing community to engage with one of the most enduring literary traditions of Europe.
Portugal takes centre stage as the guest country at the 2025 Bookfest International Book Fair in Bucharest, scheduled from 28 May through 1 June at Romexpo.
With the theme of rediscovering Portuguese literature, the event promises to showcase Portugal’s rich cultural diversity through an impressive roster of authors, publishers, and literary professionals. This spotlight offers an exceptional opportunity for Romanian readers and the broader publishing community to engage with one of the most enduring literary traditions of Europe.
Celebrating Portuguese Literary Icons
Among the Portuguese authors attending will be José Luís Peixoto, a celebrated novelist whose works have been translated into over 30 languages. Peixoto will meet fans and sign copies of Galveias, his latest work to be translated into Romanian.
Joining him is Gonçalo M. Tavares, often compared to Kafka and António Lobo Antunes, whose literary talent has attracted widespread acclaim. With praise from Nobel laureate José Saramago, Tavares is considered a future contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Ana Margarida de Carvalho, a journalist and screenwriter, will also be present. Her award-winning works, including the European Union Prize for Literature finalist Cartografias de Lugares mal Situados, underscore her reputation as one of Portugal’s foremost literary voices.
Representing the Lusophone world beyond Portugal, João Melo – a prolific writer splitting his time between Angola, Portugal, and the USA (if he doesn’t get locked up by the ICE) brings a global perspective, enriched by his background as a founding member of Angola’s literary institutions.
Maria do Rosário Pedreira, renowned poet, editor, and author of children’s books and fado lyrics, adds a multifaceted presence to the fair. Her works, which have become staples of Portuguese culture, affirm her standing as a leading voice in modern Lusitanian poetry.
A Celebration of Portuguese Creativity
The fair will also feature Mafalda Milhões, a vibrant advocate for children’s literature, and adding to this diversity will be David Machado, another winner of the European Union Prize for Literature. Three of his children’s titles, including The Shark in the Bathtub, will be released in Romanian at Bookfest 2025.
Insights from Industry Experts
The fair will also welcome Henrique Mota, former president of the Federation of European Publishers and founder of Principía Editora, and Rosa Azevedo, co-owner of the Lisbon-based bookstore Snob and a juror for the European Prize for Literature. Their presence highlights the strong professional connections between the Portuguese and international publishing industries, making Bookfest 2025 an essential event for networking and collaboration.
Read more at Romania-Insider.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
