Romania in focus at the Göteborg Book Fair 2013

It is now official that Romania and Romanian literature will be the focal theme at the Göteborg Book Fair 2013, scheduled to take place between 26-29 September.

The Romanian theme will be presented in collaboration with the Romanian Cultural Institute and is the result of five years' close partnership between the Book Fair and Rumänska kulturinstitutet - the Stockholm branch of the institute.

- We are very proud to have been given the lead on Sweden's main literary stage. We see it as an acknowledgement of Romania's growing literary force, as well as of Rumänska kulturinstitutet's literary programme", says Dan Shafran, the institute's director.

Ever since the Romanian Cultural Institute opened its Swedish office in 2006, the Göteborg Book Fair has been visited by Romania's foremost writers, the latest example being that of Herta Müller, who inaugurated the 2011 edition of the fair. Another collaboration turning into a tradition is organizing the award ceremony of Sorescupriset – Rumänska kulturinstitutet's literary prize – at the Göteborg Book Fair.

- We are very happy to carry on and strengthen our collaboration with Romania and we look forward to contribute to the further spreading of Romanian literature in the Nordic countries, says Anna Falck, Managing Director of the Göteborg Book Fair.

Lately, Romanian literature has enjoyed increasing international interest, thanks to a boost in the number of translations into different languages, Swedish included, and to a growing presence at book fairs around the world. In 2011 Romania was the guest country in Madrid, while this year its literature will be in focus at the book fairs in Prague and Torino.

The Romanian Cultural Institute is a public body founded in 2003, tasked with raising the profile of Romanian culture. With its headquarters in Bucharest, the institute has 17 foreign branches spread around the world.