Portugal has been officially announced as the Guest of Honour for the 18th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair, scheduled to be held at Romexpo, Bucharest, from May 28 to June 1, 2025. This year’s event promises Romanian readers an exceptional opportunity to delve into Portuguese literature and explore the rich cultural tapestry of the Lusophone world through an engaging lineup of books, authors, translators, and publishers.
The Portuguese presence at Bookfest 2025 will be centered around the evocative motto “Where the sea ended and the land awaited.” This symbolic phrase is derived from Nobel Laureate José Saramago’s acclaimed novel, The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis. It references one of Fernando Pessoa’s famous heteronyms and ultimately echoes The Lusiads, the seminal work of Luís Vaz de Camões, considered a cornerstone of Portuguese literary heritage and celebrated annually on Portugal’s National Day, June 10.
Highlighting Portugal’s delegation are renowned authors José Luís Peixoto and Gonçalo M. Tavares, both recipients of the prestigious José Saramago Prize. José Luís Peixoto, whose novels have been translated into more than 30 languages, will meet readers and sign copies of his recently translated novel, The Dogs of Galveias, published in Romanian by Trei Publishing House’s Anansi imprint, translated by Simina Popa.
Gonçalo M. Tavares, acclaimed by José Saramago as a potential Nobel Prize contender and praised by prominent literary figures such as Alberto Manguel and Enrique Vila-Matas, will also engage with Romanian readers. Tavares’s works are available in Romanian and Moldovan editions through Humanitas Fiction, Cartier, and Univers publishers.
Portugal’s showcase at Bookfest will be housed in Pavilion B2, created through a collaborative effort involving the Portuguese Embassy in Bucharest, Camões, I.P., Academia do Bacalhau de Bucareste, Dancing Lobster, Confrasilvas, Solarealize Ro SRL, and M2O Project SRL. Attendees will have access to a diverse collection of books in Portuguese and Romanian editions of celebrated Portuguese literary works.