“A modern, hybrid model—one that is being adopted by an increasing number of book fairs around the world—harmoniously combines the commercial, professional, and cultural aspects of this year’s 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair, transforming it into a comprehensive experience for the entire book world, said the president of the Hellenic Book and Culture Foundation, Mr. Nikos Bakounakis.

He particularly highlighted the well-planned children’s program, which this year specifically began in March in collaboration with schools in the Region of Central Macedonia, with the aim not simply of participation but also of creating content to be presented in the children’s corner. He also noted that ELIVIP has designed the reading campaign “We Read” and has invited to this year’s Thessaloniki International Book Fair very important organizations working globally to promote books and reading, such as EURead, the Bonnier Family Foundation, and the German Stiftung Lesen—a foundation for the promotion of reading.

He also mentioned the redesign of all the pavilions, the transformation of Pavilion 12 to include a space for screening ERT’s archival book-related programs, with a studio for interviews and three event halls, as well as the creation of a lounge in Pavilion 14 for visitors to relax, following a long-standing request from the public. He also emphasized that starting this year, there will be free admission tickets to the Thessaloniki International Book Fair in order to record the actual number of visitors and provide reliable quantitative data on the fair.

He also mentioned the contribution of sponsors and supporters, who are key pillars for the sustainability and growth of the fair, enabling the expansion of its activities and the enhancement of its impact.

In particular, he thanked—in addition to the Municipality of Thessaloniki and TIF-HELEXPO—the strategic partners of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF), MOMus, the Municipal Library, ERT, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the National Theater of Northern Greece, and Fraport, which for yet another year is supporting the promotion of the exhibition by providing spaces to welcome and inform the public at Thessaloniki Airport. Also, for the first time this year, ELIVIP is running a campaign in the city’s taxis, which transport hundreds of residents and visitors daily, displaying exhibition material for passengers and providing drivers with ongoing updates about the exhibition.

At the same time, he highlighted the creation of two new digital platforms managed by ELIVIP, the Thessaloniki International Book Fair website and TBF connect, which enhance the organization’s outreach and serve as an international networking and communication platform for book professionals, publishers, and creators, extending the fair’s presence beyond physical boundaries.

“We must strive to be better every year,” he remarked, thanking the Ministry of Culture and Minister Lina Mendoni for her ongoing support of ELIVIP, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, and HELEXPO for their long-standing cooperation and support, while emphasizing the role of publishers and book industry stakeholders, without whom the fair would not exist.

Finally, he mentioned the guest of honor, Bulgaria, which strengthens intercultural dialogue and builds bridges of cooperation with the wider region. As he said, “We are making an effort to build closer ties with the countries of Southeast Europe, which produce very significant literature, and we want to expand our experience with the languages of the countries in our region.”

The four-day book festival will bring together Greek and foreign authors in Thessaloniki and at the International Exhibition Center, bringing different cultures together and opening up dialogue in a turbulent world where books can offer hope, as noted by the president of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis.

“With the central theme of this year’s event being a love of reading and how the new generation of readers is taking shape, we look forward to seeing children and adults share their love of reading over the course of these four days in a world that I feel is growing every year with new readers and new reading experiences,” he emphasized. After all, as he added, in the fast-paced digital reality we all live in, a book gives us the chance to take our time, to pause, to return again and again to a page, to delve deeper, and not to rush. He also highlighted the close collaboration with ELIVIP and assured that “TIF-HELEXPO, which has consistently contributed to the institution of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair, will continue to stand by this event—a jewel for our city.”

The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism Development, and Intermunicipal Cooperation of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Vasilis Gakis, described the Thessaloniki International Book Fair as an important institution for the city, which, as he emphasized, strengthens its outward-looking nature, identity, and international collaborations, with a prime example being the participation of this year’s guest of honor, Bulgaria. Mr. Gakis noted that the Municipality of Thessaloniki has consistently supported both the fair and books in general, and is making substantial investments in the municipal library and its network through significant funding. Today, according to Ms. Gaki, the city has an extensive network of libraries, and a new, innovative reading space has recently been created by the sea, the Glass Pavilion, which aims to serve as a cultural hub for book and art events.

Christos Mitas, Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Sports, highlighted the importance of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair as an institution that strengthens the country’s position on the international cultural map and promotes knowledge, dialogue, and creativity. He highlighted the support of the Region of Central Macedonia and Regional Governor Athina Athanasiadou-Aidona for the event, emphasizing the role of books as a means of fostering critical thinking and strengthening democracy.

He made special mention of this year’s guest of honor, Bulgaria, highlighting the strong cultural ties that unite the two peoples, as well as the multicultural character of Thessaloniki as a modern cultural hub. At the same time, he thanked the Hellenic Book and Culture Foundation for its contribution, emphasized that the Region will continue to support his vision, and invited the public to participate in this great celebration of books.

As Mr. Svetlozar Zhelev, director of the National Book Center of Bulgaria, stated at the press conference, Bulgaria’s presence as the guest of honor at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair marks a particularly significant moment of cultural outreach, as the country returns to such an event after nearly three decades.

He emphasized the importance of literary and cultural diplomacy, noting that books serve as a bridge of communication between peoples, but also as a “safe haven” in a time of uncertainty. He thanked the Greek and Bulgarian organizations that contributed to preparing the participation, placing particular emphasis on collaboration with translation institutions and international organizations.

In presenting Bulgaria’s program, she highlighted the participation of prominent authors, illustrators, and book industry professionals who connect Bulgarian literature with an international audience. She also made special mention of the importance of translation, emphasizing that thanks to translators, Greek literature — with notable examples such as Kazantzakis, Cavafy, Elytis, and Seferis — has gained a substantial presence among Bulgarian readers.

In closing, he expressed his confidence that Bulgaria’s presence in Thessaloniki this year will further strengthen the dialogue between the two countries and open up new avenues of cooperation among authors, publishers, and readers. “Greek authors will have a place at the Sofia International Book Fair in December,” she noted.

The director of the SOFIA literary agency, Ms. Gergana Pancheva, expressed her gratitude for Bulgaria’s participation in the Thessaloniki International Book Fair, describing it as an important opportunity for outreach and cooperation.

She emphasized that books and stories are a fundamental means of connecting peoples, noting that their dissemination across borders requires strong support and that cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria must be strengthened. He also noted Bulgaria’s organized, dynamic presence, with the contribution of creative organizations and the participation of publishers in the professional program.

She placed particular emphasis on the role of translation as a tool for intercultural communication, as well as on initiatives related to children’s books and the promotion of reading. The program of the guest of honor country also includes events, workshops, screenings, and discussions that highlight the connection between literature and other art forms, as well as the adaptation of books into films.

In closing, he noted that this year’s participation aims to further strengthen the publishing and cultural ties between the two countries, opening up new prospects for cooperation and alternatives.

In a pre-recorded greeting, the internationally renowned winner of the International Booker Prize, Mr. Georgi Gospodinov, recalled his participation in the Thessaloniki International Book Fair three years ago, while noting the very promising prospects for Bulgarian and Greek literature.

During the press conference, many distinguished Bulgarian authors who will participate in this year’s event sent pre-recorded messages.

You may access full schedule of events here https://thessalonikibookfair.gr/programme/. Browse the sections and discover the events that interest you!