Gaudeamus Book Fair in a year when we celebrate the Centennial of the Great Union

Bucharest will host a new edition of the Gaudeamus International Book and Education Fair, a project of Radio Romania

Ştefan Stoica, 13.11.2018, 14:03

On Wednesday,
the 25th edition of the Gaudeamus International Book and Education
Fair is kicking off in Bucharest, a solid and constant landmark of the book
market in Romania.

The Fair is the
main component of the Reading Programme, a nation-wide project initiated by
Radio Romania in 1994, with a view to supporting national culture through book
and education exhibitions. In the last 25 years, more than 100 book fairs have
been organized across the country with over 10,000 events and some 3 million
visitors.

Radio Romania is
the only radio broadcaster in the world to implement such a cultural project
being national leader in the field. This year, the Gaudeamus Fair will be held
under the auspices of a triple anniversary: the Centennial of the Great Union
of the Romanian historical provinces in a nation state, 90 years since Radio
Romania’s first broadcast was aired. Radio Romania being one of the oldest
radio broadcasters in Europe and 25 editions of the Gaudeamus Fair. As a rule,
a certain country is invited to attend the Fair, but in 2018, when we celebrate
100 years since the Great Union, the organizer decided that star of the event
should be Romania, its history and culture.

The central
theme is Romania upon the Centennial of the Great Union, featured in a special
stand displaying some 600 books devoted to that historical moment and hosting
around 50 events – book launches and presentations, debates, film screenings,
public readings. The stand will give visitors the opportunity of meeting and
speaking to some of the foremost Romanian writers, literary critics and
historians.

The honorary
president of the Gaudeamus Fair this year is historian Ioan Aurel Pop,
president of the Romanian Academy. Attending the Fair will be over 300 exhibitors,
a powerful and well-defined nucleus of Romanian publishing houses, education
institutions, book retailers, periodicals, producers and retailers of education
games, professional associations and organizations in the field of education
and culture. 900 editorial and professional events will take place. The
Gaudeamus Fair will be indicative of the birth, evolution and growth of the
most popular book event in Romania.

Just like every
year, the Gaudeamus trophies will be awarded to three exhibitors; the The most
coveted book of the fair prize will be granted taking into account the vote of
the public. Radio Romania will also award the Excellence Prize to one of the
participating publishing houses, destined to the total or partial financing of
an editorial project of national importance with an international impact, as
well as prizes for translation and education. Last but not least, the
organizers will award the Miss Reading prize to the most beautiful book loving
visitor.