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Transylvanian Book Festival

We look forward to seeing you again 12-15 September 2024!

 

Transylvanian Book Festival

We look forward to seeing you in Richis 12-15 September 2024!

 

Transylvanian Book Festival

Book now for 12-15 September 2024!

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Why is the festival so special?

We call it a book festival, but it isn’t like any other literary festival you might have visited before. There are no white tents, crowds, or bland conference rooms: most of the talks and performances take place in the village hall, or in or around historic buildings. It is more like a symposium in the true sense of the word – a series of animated conversations in a convivial atmosphere, the kind that continue enjoyably after dinner and into the night. Great friendships are made.

The festival presents a carefully considered programme of writers, poets and musicians who through their work explore the richness of Romanian culture and, more specifically, the extraordinary cultural melting pot that is Transylvania. We are based in the villages and landscape that informed much of the writing and music, and the programme includes visits with expert guides (writers, art historians and musicians) to the surrounding countryside, delicious meals served in a variety of beautiful historic settings and performances given by local choirs and gypsy bands, as well as musicians of international repute.

Everyone agrees that the Transylvania Book Festival has a unique charm, thanks to its intimacy and the nostalgic beauty of its setting in the fairy-tale landscape of Transylvania. Kept deliberately small, it has a relaxed atmosphere and a tradition of everyone eating together – writers, musicians, international audiences, and local guests alike – very often outside in the golden September sunshine.

‘I loved everything I saw and can’t wait for the next one… I’m just a huge fan.’

Andrew J Noble | British Ambassador | British Embassy Bucharest

Our aim is to create a small-scale cultural event with a big impact, which builds up international friendships and partnerships. It is a purely not-for-profit enterprise, run for the love of the region and the desire to nurture a living and sustainable culture. We wish to spark new conversations about astonishingly rich but often too little-known histories.

The festival raises international awareness of the cultural richness and diversity of Romania – its literature, history, music, decorative arts and food – through carefully curated events for select audiences in enchanting settings.

We show how historic villages can be part of a vibrant international cultural scene – as so many Transylvanian villages and towns once were – by engaging in new, dynamic narratives, instead of being depopulated museums serving a narrow touristic agenda.

We support the community by raising awareness of the region and its rich cultural heritage. We attract authors, historians, musicians, and journalists of international standing, promoting writers and artists, publishers and booksellers in both Romania and the UK. Showing the value of truly sustainable local tourism and small-scale enterprise, we raise awareness of the area’s incredible landscape, wildlife and historic buildings, and the need to conserve them. We also encourage young volunteers from the UK and Romania to work together. In 2022 we held our first traditional crafts workshop for local children and hope to extend this programme in 2024.

‘Looking back now, those four packed days already seem like a dream. We all learned so much – not only about Transylvania – and made so many friends and had such a gloriously happy time’

The Transylvanian Book Festival was founded by Lucy Abel Smith in 2013 to celebrate the cultural wealth of this region and to celebrate its history, literature, architecture and ethnic diversity. Set amidst the villages and foothills of Transylvania, this festival is unique in Romania.

Surrounded by beech and oak forests and the tranquillity of this great medieval landscape – the last in Europe, writers and audiences will have unrivalled opportunity for discussions and discoveries among the beautiful ancient Saxon villages of Copsa Mare, Biertan and Richis, the latter of which will host the Festival. All three villages are linked by a narrow road along the valley with gently rolling hills, terraced for vines, rising on either side. It is within these villages that guests stay during the festival, and shuttles will provide transport for those who do not wish to walk.

For those who wish to extend their stay in Romania, and experience a different part of the country and culture, Bronwen Riley will be running a private tour to Moldavia, staying at a restored manor house and visiting the painted monasteries of Bucovina. Please choose this option on the booking form.

Become a Patron, Friend or Volunteer

We offer many interesting opportunities for sponsors, including

  • logos at events and on our website and in our festival programm
  • Printed material from sponsors displayed at key points in festival
  • Potential to sponsor individual lectures and events
  • Discount rate for staff
  • Free tickets, VIP access and reserved seating
  • Corporate social responsibility – the festival has an outreach programme for the local community and schools
  • Media – coverage and promotion of the festival in broadcast, print media, social media and online
  • Broad range of sponsorship opportunities
  • Social Media; programme distributed in UK, Romania and US; high profile fundraising and associated events in UK and Romania.

To discuss further sponsorship options and benefits available, and for more details about the festival, please contact us.

Contact us

For the festival from outside Romania
Reality and Beyond Ltd 0044 1285 750 358/888
email: lucy@realityandbeyond.co.uk

For accommodation and shuttles to/from airports/railway stations
Laura Vesa, DiscoveRomania
email: office@discoveromania.ro

For flights and trains
Mike Morton
email: mike.morton@travelcounsellors.com

Romania Day ticket office: +40 269 258 423 or +40 723 516 581