Romania, guest of honor at the Frankfurt International Book Fair 2028
In two years, Romanian literature will be the star of the Frankfurt International Book Fair.
Bogdan Matei, 23.02.2026, 13:50
Romania will present its literature and its culture, in general, as the guest of honor country at the 80th edition of the Frankfurt International Book Fair, in central Germany, between October 11 and 15, 2028 – the Romanian Ministry of Culture announced. By signing the official agreement establishing this status, Romania ‘will truly be in the spotlight’ says the Fair’s director, Juergen Boos. He recalls that ‘145 years ago diplomatic relations were established between Romania and Germany. Since then, close cultural ties have grown through the seeds of literature, through translations, through lively exchanges. Today we continue to write a story together. Classical literature has been present in Europe for a long time, supported by a strong contemporary literature’.
Juergen Boos also mentioned the numerous German-language writers originating from Romania, including Herta Muller, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2009, more than two decades after she left for the Federal Republic because of the communist dictatorship in Bucharest. Director Boos specified that the preparation for 2028 will be ‘a joint process over the next three years’. ‘New translations will be produced, publishers will travel and establish new contacts, and German-Romanian projects will be carried out step by step. Romanian literature will become even more visible in Germany and internationally’ he added.
‘For the Ministry of Culture, this project means a major opportunity to consolidate the image of Romanian literature and make it visible worldwide’ says, in turn, the minister of culture, Demeter Andras. ‘As we well know, the Frankfurt Book Fair is the most important event of its kind in the world, being, at the same time, a space where directions are built, lasting connections are created and the international circulation of ideas is decided. Romania comes to Frankfurt with clear arguments. We are the sixth country in terms of population in the European Union, with a growing economy and a government that shares European values. We are, at the same time, a point of stability and dialogue in a region marked by political tensions. This reality is also reflected in our culture, in our literature, in the way we tell our stories. We believe that the Frankfurt audience will have the joy of discovering a culture and a country located on the border of the European Union, about which too little was known for a long time. Romanian literature, history, traditions, recent memory and contemporary themes can build a relevant and authentic discourse for the European public,’ the minister also stated.
Romania will also present other cultural fields in which its artists have gained international recognition: cinema, theater, contemporary dance, music, visual arts, as well as natural heritage, ecological tourism and gastronomy. (LS)
