The inaugural edition of the Vilnius Book Fair was held in 2000. Over the years, it has become the main annual meeting place for publishers, authors and readers in the Baltic states that attracts over 60,000 attendees every year. The fair features about 300 Lithuanian and foreign publishing houses that showcase their most best books and announce new exciting projects.
The exhibition is divided into several sections including Fiction, Business and Specialized Literature, Books for Children and Young Adults, Science and Academics, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and Textbooks, Artbooks and Illustrations, Religious Literature, Books in Foreign Languages, Newspapers and Magazines, Maps and Travel Guides, Multimedia and E-Books, Television and Radio, Cinema, etc.
Of course, the program of the Vilnius Book Fair isn’t limited to the exhibition itself. It features a variety of events for visitors of all ages including presentations of new books, literary discussions, meetings with Lithuanian and foreign authors, book signings, art exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, poetry readings, and more.
Among the main highlights of the fair are Children’s Literature Hall, Creative Studio, Discussion Club, Open Library, Literary Cafe, and Music Hall. Children’s Literature Hall and Creative Studio are designed for the youngest visitors of the fair. They give children an opportunity to participate in readings, creative workshops, meetings with authors and illustrators.
Each edition of the fair has a specific theme. For example, the theme of the Vilnius Book Fair 2017 was “Lithuanian signs visible abroad”. Its main objective was to introduce a wide audience to well-known Lithuanians who left their country and made its name famous thanks to their accomplishments.
Photo: Marijus Medišauskas
