{"id":5369,"date":"2026-05-05T05:50:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T02:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/i-timomeni-chora-voulgaria-stin-22i-devth\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T06:06:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:06:48","slug":"i-timomeni-chora-voulgaria-stin-22i-devth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/i-timomeni-chora-voulgaria-stin-22i-devth\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulgaria: Guest of Honor at the 22nd TBF"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With \u201cLiterature Beyond Borders\u2019\u2019 <\/strong>as its motto, Bulgaria, the Guest of Honour at the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair, has designed a diverse programme in dialogue with Greece, in collaboration with HFBC. This programme reflects the contemporary literary landscape of our neighbouring country, spanning writing, translation, and illustration, as well as the professional sector and the book market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last decade, Bulgarian literature has been gaining increasing international visibility. Prominent voices in modern Bulgarian prose enjoy global recognition, with numerous translations being published in various languages. Bulgarian literature takes great pride in Georgi Gospodinov\u2019s 2023 International Booker Prize win, as well as Rene Karabash\u2019s selection for the 2026 shortlist of the same award. In the past three years, dozens of novels, poetry collections, and short stories have been published in many languages worldwide. Bulgarian authors and their translators are becoming more widely known both at home and abroad through EUPL awards and PEN nominations, while talented illustrators participate in major artistic events and international book fairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opening ceremony <\/strong>of the 22nd TBF will take place on Wednesday, May 6, at 19:00, in the \u201cEmilios Riadis\u2019\u2019 hall at TIF-HELEXPO. Speakers will include Nayden Todorov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, <\/strong>and author Theodora Dimova,<\/strong> representing the guest of honour country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme opens on Thursday, May 7, with Gergana Pancheva<\/strong>, Director of the Sofia Literary Agency, and Svetlozar Zhelev<\/strong>, Director of the National Book Centre of Bulgaria. They will present an overview of the Bulgarian book market, covering data, trends, grant opportunities, and institutional support<\/strong> (13:00 – 14:00, Pavilion 15, DIALOGOS Presentation Hall, in English<\/em>). Immediately after, in the same venue, fellows Zornitsa Hristova<\/strong> (Tochitza <\/strong>Publishers<\/strong>) and Desislava Grozdanova<\/strong> (Fox Books<\/strong>), moderated by Desislava Zheleva<\/strong> (Colibri Publishing<\/strong>), will discuss children\u2019s book production in Bulgaria.<\/strong> Their discussion will focus on current trends, opportunities for international cooperation, and incentives for improving reading skills<\/strong> (in English<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official opening <\/strong>of the Bulgarian National Stand <\/strong>will take place from 17:00 to 18:30<\/strong> at Pavilion 13 (no. 127). The event will feature a greeting from the Bulgarian Minister of Culture, Nayden Todorov<\/strong>, and also speeches by Gergana Dimitrova<\/strong>, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Book Association, author Elena Alexieva<\/strong>, and translator Alexandra Ioannidou<\/strong>. Additionally, Iana Boukova<\/strong> will perform a poetry reading (In Bulgarian, with<\/em> Greek interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day concludes with a\u00a0discussion between authors Teodora Dimova<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Lila\u00a0Konomara<\/strong>, moderated by translator\u00a0Zdravka\u00a0Mihaylova\u00a0(<\/strong>19:00\u00a0–\u00a020:00,\u00a0COSMOS\u00a0Presentation\u00a0Hall,\u00a0Pavilion 14.1\u00a0(In Bulgarian, with Greek<\/em>\u00a0interpretation<\/em>)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday, May 8, illustrator Kapka Kaneva<\/strong> has prepared an exciting workshop for children aged 9 – 12<\/strong> (10:00 – 11:00), while from 11:00 to 12:00 a workshop for children of the same age follows, with author and publisher Zornitsa Hristova<\/strong> (Pavilion 13 at the Bulgarian National Stand, no.127, in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 16:00 – 17:00 at Pavilion 15, in the DIALOGOS Presentation Hall, translators Blagorodna Filevska-Panagou, Spyros N. Pappas, <\/strong>and Zdravka Mihaylova<\/strong>, moderated by Gergana Pancheva<\/strong>, Director of the Sofia Literary Agency, discuss Bulgarian literature translated into Greek: challenges, possibilities, and strategies<\/strong> (in English)<\/em>, while at 17:00 – 18:00 at the Bulgarian National Stand, author Ersi Sotiropoulou<\/strong> talks with her translator into Bulgarian, Marina Delivlaeva<\/strong> (in Greek<\/em>). At 18:00 a discussion follows with authors Elena Alexieva and Iana Boukova<\/strong> about Female voices in contemporary literature<\/strong> (in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>), while at 19:00 authors Teodora Dimova, Todor P. Todorov, Rene Karabash, and Alexander Sekulov<\/strong> discuss Literature beyond borders<\/strong>. Moderated by Svetlozar Zhelev <\/strong>(in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday night at 21:00 in\u00a0the\u00a0Dionysis\u00a0Savvopoulos\u00a0Presentation Hall\u00a0(Pavilion 13), the Greek edition of\u00a0Elena\u00a0Alexieva<\/strong>‘s short story collection,\u00a0The Interruption of Samsara<\/strong>\u00a0(Vakxikon\u00a0Publications), is presented. Discussing with the author are her translator into Greek,\u00a0Blagorodna\u00a0Filevska-Panagou<\/strong>, and author\u00a0Georgia\u00a0Makrogiorgou<\/strong>\u00a0(in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em>\u00a0interpretation<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, May 9<\/strong>, at 11:00, young readers will have the opportunity to enjoy at the Bulgarian National Stand the animated films by Penko and Sotir Gelev, \u201cThe Ballad of the Self-Proclaimed Knight Zelyazko and the Fire-Breathing Dragon Dimtcho\u2019\u2019 <\/strong>and \u201c<\/strong>Viola<\/strong>\u2019\u2019<\/strong> (in Bulgarian with English subtitles<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 12:00 in the same venue, authors\u00a0Leonie\u00a0Hodkevitch<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Christos\u00a0Hartomatsidis,<\/strong>\u00a0moderated by\u00a0Svetlozar\u00a0Zhekov<\/strong>,\u00a0discuss the topic\u00a0Between two languages<\/strong>\u00a0(in Bulgarian with Greek\u00a0interpretation<\/em>), while from\u00a014:00\u00a0–\u00a015:00<\/strong>\u00a0short films based on short stories by author and poet\u00a0Yordanka\u00a0Beleva<\/strong>\u00a0will be screened\u00a0(in Bulgarian with English subtitles<\/em>).\u00a0Continuing on\u00a0the same theme, at 16:00 a discussion follows on\u00a0Novels adapted for film and television<\/strong>, with the participation of authors Ina Valchanova, Rene Karabash, <\/strong>and Alexander Sekulov, <\/strong>moderated <\/strong>by Gergana Pancheva<\/strong> (in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Greek edition of Ina Valchanova<\/strong>\u2019s novel, \u201cIsland of Crash\u2019\u2019<\/strong> (Vakxikon Publications), is presented at 18:00, also at the Bulgarian National Stand, with the participation of the author<\/strong>, the book\u2019s translator into Greek Christos Hartomatsidis<\/strong>, and author Ilias Fragkakis <\/strong>(in Bulgarian with Greek i<\/em>nterpretation<\/em>), followed at 19:00 by a discussion with author Iana Boukova<\/strong> and poet Pavlina Marvin<\/strong> (in Greek<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 21:00 in the Dionysis Savvopoulos Presentation Hall (Pavilion 13), the Greek edition of Teodora Dimova<\/strong>\u2019s novel, I Do Not Know You (Enastron Editions), is presented. The author discusses with journalist Giannis Kessopoulos<\/strong>, translator Blagorodna Filevska-Panagou<\/strong>, and publisher Efi Riza-Skyfa<\/strong> (in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday, May 10, from 10:00 \u2013 11:00<\/strong>, the animated films for children \u201cThe Ballad of the Self-Proclaimed Knight Zelyazko and the Fire-Breathing Dragon Dimtcho\u2019\u2019<\/strong> and \u201c<\/strong>Viola<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong> by Penko and Sotir Gelev<\/strong> will be screened again at the Bulgarian National Stand (in Bulgarian with English subtitles<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 11:00 in the Dionysis Savvopoulos Presentation Hall, the presentation of Rene Karabash<\/strong>\u2019s collection of poetic prose in epistolary form, Omar’s Letters to His Future Wife<\/strong> (Metaixmio Publications), will take place. The book\u2019s author discusses with author Kyriakos Charitos<\/strong> and translator Spyros N. Pappa<\/strong>s (in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). Immediately after, at 12:00, a discussion with author Alexander Sekulov<\/strong> and literary critic Svetlozar Zhelev<\/strong> follows at the Bulgarian National Stand (in Bulgarian with interpretation into Greek<\/em>), while at 13:00 in the same venue, authors Todor P. Todorov<\/strong> and Christos Chomenidis<\/strong> discuss, moderated by Svetlozar Zhelev<\/strong> (in Bulgarian with Greek<\/em> interpretation<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translator Vaitsa Chani – Moysidou<\/strong> talks about Bulgarian myths and fairy tales <\/strong>and the Thessaloniki Storytelling Club <\/strong>presents a wonderful Storytelling session<\/strong> at the Bulgarian National Stand at 15:00, while at 16:00 short films based on short stories by author and poet Yordanka Beleva<\/strong> will be screened (in Bulgarian with English subtitles<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme of Bulgaria as the Guest of Honour closes with wonderful musical notes at the Closing Concert<\/strong> in the atmospheric Rotunda of St. George<\/strong> at 20:30. Featuring Svetlin Roussev \u2013 violin, the Frosch Quartet, <\/strong>and Viktor Trenev from Bulgaria<\/strong>. Soloists of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra<\/strong> also participate. The programme includes works by Pancho Vladigerov, Nikos Skalkottas, Camille Saint-Sa<\/strong>\u00eb<\/strong>ns<\/strong>, and others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos of the participants in the Guest of Honour Bulgaria programme <\/strong>can be found <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

General photos <\/strong>can be found HERE<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The complete\u00a0programme\u00a0of the 22nd TBF is posted on its website:\u00a0thessalonikibookfair.gr\/programme<\/a>. Explore the sections and discover the events you wish\u00a0to attend! Information and details about the event and all Press Releases can be found on the bilingual website\u00a0thessalonikibookfair.gr<\/a>, which, as the social media managed by HFBC, will be constantly updated and enriched.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TBF) is organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Books and\u00a0Culture (HFBC) in collaboration with TIF\u2013HELEXPO, Greek publishers, and the Municipality of Thessaloniki, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Central Macedonia. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, within the framework of the ROP Central Macedonia 2021-2027. TBF is a member of the International Book Fairs Forum and the European Book Fairs Network ALDUS UP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With \u201cLiterature Beyond Borders\u2019\u2019 as its motto, Bulgaria, the Guest of Honour at the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair, has designed a diverse programme in dialogue with Greece, in collaboration with HFBC. This programme reflects the contemporary literary landscape of our neighbouring country, spanning writing, translation, and illustration, as well as the professional sector…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5369"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5372,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5369\/revisions\/5372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thessalonikibookfair.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}