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Bookfest 2023 to be held between 24-28 May: Italy - guest of honour
Culture is "a barrier to barbarism," Italian Ambassador in Bucharest Alfredo Maria Durante Mangoni stated on Tuesday.
He attended the press conference within which it was presented this year's edition of the Bookfest Fair.
Italy will be the guest of honor at this edition, which is to take place between 24 and 28 May, in pavilion B2 of Romexpo, and the motto of the event is "Latin spirit."
The diplomat remarked that the book fair in Bucharest is held between the Paris Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2024, where Italy is also a guest of honour.
"It seems to me deeply symbolic that, between two prestigious events in the heart of Western Europe, Italy is put in the spotlight here in Bucharest, at the eastern border of the European Union and NATO. I would like to reiterate that this culture, which means books, which means community, is a barrier to barbarism," Alfredo Maria Durante Mangoni stated.
The ambassador said that the next week's events will represent " a glimpse of modern, creative Italy, capable of transformation."
"It makes us aware of the fact that we have a very important role to play in facilitating a better understanding of the image and spirit of our country," he showed.
The ambassador also noted the close relationship between Romania and the talent of Romanians for learning the Italian language.
The 16th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair opens with over 200 exhibitors from all over the country and the Republic of Moldova, as well as cultural institutes with representations in Bucharest, being present every day until 28 May.
In the year which celebrates six decades of uninterrupted activity, the Madrigal - Marin Constantin National Chamber Choir opens the 16th edition of Bookfest performing the national anthems of Romania and Italy. It will also perform a recital on the first day of the Book Fair, as of 13:30hrs, the repertoire including works from the Italian Renaissance, as well as Romanian compositions.
At this edition, the organizers promise spectacular discounts, about one million volumes, including 3,000 new titles, over 400 book launches and debates, over 60 events dedicated to children, with the participation of the most famous Romanian authors, round tables dedicated to the state of written culture and musical recitals.
The events will take place both at the exhibitors' stands, as well as in the specially arranged spaces within Bookfest: three stages, two cafes, one cinema and one stand dedicated to children, Bookfest Junior, the public entry being free of change, as in all previous editions.
A project co-financed by the Culture Ministry, Bookfest holds local editions in Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Targu Mures, Brasov and an international edition in Chisinau.
The Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Association of Romanian Publishers, under the aegis of the Federation of Romanian Publishers, with the support of the Italian Embassy in Bucharest, the Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Cultural Institute of Bucharest.