Juergen Boos has emphasised that the 2028 programme will introduce German audiences to a broader spectrum of Romanian voices, including those from Moldova.
Per Publishing Perspectives, Romania has officially secured its position as Guest of Honour at the 2028 Frankfurt International Book Fair, following the signing of the official agreement in Bucharest yesterday.
20 February 2026. Minister of Culture András István Demeter and outgoing Frankfurter Buchmesse Director Juergen Boos formalised the contract, marking a pivotal moment for Romanian literature on the global stage.
Cross-Border Cultural Collaboration
TNPS has covered this before, of course, and revisits it here in the context of the wider Romanian-speaking cultural sphere. Moldovan Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan has confirmed the Republic of Moldova’s intention to participate alongside Romania, following bilateral discussions in Bucharest.
This collaborative approach will showcase the “widest possible diversity of areas, sectors and voices” from across the region, with both countries planning to draft a new memorandum of understanding to structure joint cultural projects.
The Guest of Honour Programme: Context and Opportunity
The Guest of Honour initiative, established in 1976 and held annually since 1988, represents far more than ceremonial prestige. For publishing professionals, it offers a structured pathway to expand international networks, increase translation output, and secure sustained media attention.
Previous guests have included Norway, India, New Zealand, and most recently the Philippines, each leveraging the platform to achieve measurable growth in rights sales and cultural exports.
The programme specifically aims to boost translations from the guest country into German and other languages through year-long cultural events culminating in the fair itself. Romania will occupy centre stage at the 80th edition (11–15 October 2028), commanding a pavilion of approximately 1,500–2,000 square metres.
The View From The Beach
Romania’s literary credentials are already established in German markets. Authors Mircea Cărtărescu and Gabriela Adameșteanu enjoy established readerships, with the latter joining Andrei Pleșu in addressing the official signing ceremony. Juergen Boos has emphasised that the 2028 programme will introduce German audiences to a broader spectrum of Romanian voices, including those from Moldova.
The timing aligns with strong bilateral trade relations – Germany stands as Romania’s most important trading partner – suggesting significant potential for long-term publishing partnerships beyond the fair itself .
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
