"Off with those masks! Be normal people again!" The 27th International Book Fair in Kraków has concluded.

Four days, about 56,000 visitors, over 470 exhibitors, more than 800 authors, more than 600 accredited journalists and online content creators, 900 meetings, presentations, and workshops, 30,000 Trade Fair TV viewers – in short, this sums up the 27th International Book Fair in Krakow®. But what truly makes this event exceptional is not just the impressive numbers; it’s the passion and commitment of the people who come together to create this literary celebration – publishers, authors, translators, illustrators, booksellers, and of course… readers!

 

“We are here because we want to be here.”

The motto of this year’s edition, which coincides with the 120th anniversary of the birth of Witold Gombrowicz, was a quote from his play Operetta – "Off with those masks! Be normal people again!". By choosing this theme, the organizers sent a clear message that despite the prevailing reality, stereotyping, and categorization, the International Book Fair in Krakow® is a place where literature lovers – regardless of age, background, or worldview – can freely meet and share their passion. The four-day event served as a space for intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, a platform for the exchange of ideas, thoughts, and experiences. Here, everyone could be themselves and explore literary genres of interest. And although it is increasingly difficult today to define authenticity, the International Book Fair in Krakow® certainly demonstrated how much it is sought after. “I arrived at the fair quite early and noticed that most of the people I saw seemed to genuinely want to be here. Often, we find ourselves in situations due to obligations – school, work, or social expectations. Yesterday, I felt I was looking at people who simply accepted the invitation to the fair, with real choice behind their presence. Practicing choice in a very restrictive reality is invaluable. Here, one can be present because they truly want to be. Those who accept this invitation, accept an invitation into the world of culture,” remarked Agnieszka Foryś, who led a series of literary workshops at the fair.

 

 

Three Generations of Readers

For nearly three decades, the fair has become a place where three generations of readers meet. This intergenerational aspect makes the International Book Fair in Krakow® a unique cultural phenomenon. Each group brings its own interests, experiences, and perspectives, resulting in a broad array of books on display – from scientific works to young adult and even children’s literature. The fair provides the opportunity to meet beloved authors in person, attend discussions and workshops, strengthening the bond between creators and readers. Moreover, the fair is an ideal place to discover new releases as well as hidden gems from smaller, niche publishers. The International Book Fair in Krakow® also bridges literature and new technologies – an example being the Trade Fair’s Virtual Streaming Platform and Trade Fair TV – catering to the needs of modern readers. “I attended my first fair with my mom. Later, I would come with college friends, and today, I’m here with my son. I’m happy I can cultivate this tradition with him. We always check the author list and event schedule in advance and prepare accordingly. We come every year, and I can’t imagine an autumn without this event,” shared Magdalena.

 

The Grand Opening of the Fair

On Thursday, the first day of the fair, the sound of the St. Mary's Trumpet Call filled the EXPO Kraków space, officially inaugurating the 27th International Book Fair in Krakow®. This symbolic melody, deeply rooted in the city’s tradition, heralded four days of literary celebration. The attendees were welcomed by the President of Krakow Fair, Grażyna Grabowska, and the Mayor of Krakow, Aleksander Miszalski, who emphasized, “Is the art of reading dying? Certainly not in Krakow! Since 2013, Krakow has been a UNESCO City of Literature. This title is both an honor and a tremendous responsibility. A hundred bookstores, more than 50 library branches, 170,000 people registered with the Krakow Municipal Library – these are big numbers, but it doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. The International Book Fair in Krakow® is a flagship event for our city, proving we want to be a city of literature.”

During the opening ceremony, the Krakow International Book Fair Ambassadors’ Scrolls were awarded. This distinction, introduced in 2011, honors individuals who promote reading and support the mission of the Krakow International Book Fair. This year’s honorary ambassadors included Dr. Grażyna Szarszewska-Kühl, associated with the book market and publishing industry, formerly Director General of the Polish Chamber of Books, and Justyna Dżbik-Kluge, editor-in-chief of Czwórka Polish Radio, a podcaster who has interviewed hundreds of writers about literature. An ambassador chosen by the public was Artur Kawa, the creator of the popular “If you don’t read, I won’t go to bed with you” campaign, which promotes reading in Poland and is followed by 400,000 literature fans. “It’s a great honor to represent the online community, readers who have faithfully supported this campaign for over thirteen years. It’s extraordinary confirmation that the work we do here, as influencers, is important and that people simply read. Our industry is unique in that it constantly demands new ways to reach out, which is a response to a rapidly evolving cultural landscape. We must be flexible,” Artur Kawa emphasized.

 

 

Over 900 Hours of Meetings

The total duration of events in the program of the 27th International Book Fair in Krakow® amounted to more than 900 hours. If the meetings were held consecutively, they would last for over a month without a break! These included discussions with authors in various categories such as Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Non-Fiction, Women’s Literature, Mountain and Travel Literature, the Dark Stories Festival, and the Children’s and Youth Literature Zone, as well as numerous workshops, discussions, and panels.

Readers could explore non-fiction, scientific and popular science books, thrillers, mysteries, children’s and youth literature, young adult, fantasy, comics, and board games – everyone could find something to suit their taste. During the four-day fair, hundreds of top authors from Poland and abroad met with readers, including Chris Carter, Wojciech Chmielarz, Lars Saabye Christensen, Jakub Ćwiek, Katarzyna Bonda, Jacek Dukaj, Sabina Jakubowska, Aneta Jadowska, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Karl Ove Knausgård, Roma Ligocka, Maja Lunde, Elżbieta Łapczyńska, Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak, Aneta Jadowska, Katarzyna Puzyńska, Magdalena Majcher, Jakub Małecki, Robert Małecki, Łukasz Orbitowski, Mateusz Pakuła, Claudia Piñeiro, Radek Rak, Beata Sabała-Zielińska, Vincent V. Severski, Andrzej Stasiuk, Wit Szostak, Olga Tokarczuk, Szczepan Twardoch, and Krzysztof A. Zajas.

The atmosphere was electric. Some visitors arrived at EXPO Kraków as early as 5:00 a.m., even though the fair opened at 10:00 a.m., just to get an autograph from their favorite authors. The meetings provided as much joy to the authors as to the readers, as noted by Prof. Jerzy Bralczyk: “I don’t know how many times I’ve attended the International Book Fair in Krakow, but I’m always here, and I can’t imagine not being here. I love it, and it’s natural for me to be here. The atmosphere, organization – everything is always top-notch, and I feel like part of these fairs,” he emphasized.

 

Young Literature at the Fair!

The growing interest in Young Adult literature at the International Book Fair in Krakow® was evident two years ago when young readers took over the fair, prompting media to ask – are we sure Poles don’t read books? Last year, the organizers, keeping a close eye on publishing trends, became the first in the country to create a dedicated space where popular Young Adult authors could meet their readers. The additional 3,000 m² quickly proved to be a huge success, so this year, the Karpaty Tent Hall made a return. Among the authors signing books there were Weronika Ancerowicz, Joanna Balicka, Katarzyna Barlińska, Julia Brylewska, Aleksandra Kondraciuk, Marta Łabęcka, Angelika Łabuda, Aleksandra Negrońska, Izabella Nowaczyk, Weronika Plota, Agata Polte, Julia Popiel, Monika Rutka, Laura Savaes, and FortunateEm.

For select meetings in the KarpatyTent Hall, limited free vouchers were required, which were made available at the beginning of October. Most were claimed within an hour, reflecting the immense popularity of meetings with Young Adult and New Adult authors.

Numerous BookTokers and Bookstagrammers who regularly share their reviews on social media contributed to the rising popularity of young literature. Their presence at the fair not only provided opportunities for personal encounters with authors but also allowed them to share impressions from the event itself. “Above all, I feel increasing engagement in these fairs. From a media perspective, I notice more content, direct contact between creators and the fair, and simply a lot of involvement. I remember the promotional video with Aleksandra Negrońska, showing that something is happening year-round, not just during the event, which keeps the fair in the back of our minds all year,” highlighted Kinga Marszałek (@bookxvs).

The enthusiasm for literature among young people was highlighted at every turn. As noted by Robert Utkowski from the Gombrowicz Museum in Wsola, "Above all, when I look at these young people storming the gates of the fair every morning, I am delighted. We sometimes tell these baseless stories that young people don’t read, that they are distant from literary culture—but that’s simply not true. These young people we see here are coming to the fair of their own free will; it's not just school buses arriving here. There are also groups who organized themselves and came to the fair independently."

 

Industry Dialogue

The 27th International Book Fair in Krakow® attracted interest not only among individual readers but also from the broader publishing and printing industry. This was thanks to a program offering a wide array of discussions and workshops organized by the Polish Chamber of Books, the National Library, the Regional Public Library in Krakow, Lustro Biblioteki, and the Krakow Festival Office as part of the Book Congress. Conversations focused on the most important issues facing today’s book market, including the challenges posed by new technologies and legislative changes. Many discussions covered practical aspects of using advanced digital tools in publishing, the future of e-commerce, and innovative solutions in library work. The program included coding workshops, discussions on children’s literature, the potential of picture books in education, and the role of artificial intelligence in contemporary culture.

The Literary Agents’ Zone drew great interest—a space where Polish publishers, authors, and translators met with 40 agents from Poland and abroad. Furthermore, through collaboration with the Association of Literary Translators, visitors had the chance to hear diverse perspectives from translators who must, in a sense, "embody" the characters they translate, whether real or fictional. “What I’ll remember most from this year’s fair is the many meetings with librarians and booksellers. The business side of the fair pleasantly surprised us. At other fairs, we try various ways to attract industry interest, but here it wasn’t necessary. We had one sales booth for PWN bookstore, and during the first two days—the industry days—we also had a promotional booth for Azymut, and that’s where librarians, booksellers, and even publishers came. They asked about our offerings, shared what they liked most, and told us what they still needed. Pretty much everyone is here,” observed Paulina Bandura from OSDW Azymut.

 

A World of Literature for Children and Teenagers

For years, the International Book Fair in Krakow® has been promoting reading, which, as we know, especially when cultivated from an early age, allows children to explore new worlds, broaden their horizons, and develop critical thinking skills, ultimately enriching their knowledge as adults. So how do we encourage young people to pick up books and stay with them for life? “I think it’s essential to start very early. That’s the key to everything—starting with children’s books and taking them seriously. Don’t call them ‘little books’ and begin as early as age one, two, or three. Because if we only start with school assignments, we may achieve the opposite effect. If we start with a picture book, where the child doesn’t get tired and is captivated, maybe even by a comic, then there’s already a 50% chance that they’ll stick with books and become adult readers,” said Anna Nowacka-Devillard from Widnokrąg Publishing.

During the International Book Fair in Krakow, children and their guardians had the opportunity to browse a broad selection of books from exhibitors who invited popular authors to participate. Attendees could meet Julia, Sara, Wiktor, and Andrzej Żyracki (from Zaczarowany Świat Sary), Justyna Bednarek, Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk, Sylwia Bies, Marta Galewska-Kustra, Marta Guzowska, Klaudia Halejcio, Filip Ilukowicz, Bogumił Janiszewski, Roksana Jędrzejewska-Wróbel, Grzegorz Kasdepke, Kasia Keller, Rafał Kosik, Katarzyna Kozłowska, Nikola Kucharska, Anke Kuhl, Katharina von der Gathen, Nela Mała Reporterka, Agnieszka Mielech, Adam Mirek, Urszula Młodnicka, Agnieszka Waligóra, Marianna Oklejak, Asia Olejarczyk, Tomasz Samojlik, Marianna Schoett, Zofia Stanecka, Agnieszka Stelmaszyk, Barbara Supeł, Marcin Szczygielski, Piotr Szwed, Roch Urbaniak, Adam Wajrak, Anna Włodarkiewicz, and Yvette Żółtowska-Darska.

For the youngest readers, numerous workshops were also held, covering topics such as online safety, mountain safety, doll-making, origami bookmark creation, comic and illustration workshops, workshops on emotions, and geological sessions. There were also attractions like a Magic Escape Room and a Mini Games Room with a game rental, which included LEGO-building workshops with “Ciocia od Klocków” and “Brodaty Geek.” A thoughtful educational program was developed for high school students as well, with activities like a film screening about Witold Gombrowicz titled Itek. Dzieciństwem podszyty, a simulated court trial organized by the Polish Judges’ Association IUSTITIA, featuring Gombrowicz himself as the defendant; a lesson on Ferdydurke by Witold Gombrowicz; a hip-hop literature course; Romanian language workshops; a discussion on the importance of reading in the age of AI, and lifehacks for fostering a reading habit—just a few highlights of this year’s extensive program for young people.

 

Book Fair TV

The International Book Fair in Krakow® has, for several years, successfully bridged the virtual and real worlds. It is the only event of its kind in Poland with its own Book Fair TV, hosted by popular literary journalists such as Małgorzata Bugaj, Justyna Dżbik-Kluge, Adam Szaja, and Łukasz Wojtusik. This year, the live program featured guests like Julia Brylewska, Chris Carter, Sylwia Chutnik, Wojciech Chmielarz, Sławomir Gortych, Aneta Jadowska, Juliusz Machulski, Robert Małecki, Lars Saabye Christensen, and Beata Sabała-Zielińska. For those unable to attend in person, organizers created a Virtual Book Fair Platform, enabling participation in various events, meetings, panels, and discussions online.

 

Jan Długosz Award Competition

On the first day of the fair, during a gala at the Ludowy Theater in Krakow, the winner of the 27th Jan Długosz Award Competition was announced, held as part of the International Book Fair in Krakow®. The award went to Piotr Pytlakowski, author of Strefa niepamięci, published by Agora. The award was presented by a jury chaired by Professor Władysław Stróżewski, along with members Professor Andrzej Chwalba, Professor Dominika Dudek, Professor Ryszard Nycz, Dr. Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz, Professor Andrzej Mączyński, Professor Jan Ostrowski, and Professor Piotr Sztompka. In her tribute, Professor Dudek emphasized, “The book forces one to think and evokes strong emotions. It shows how the past intertwines with the present, much like in human psychology—what seems forgotten and suppressed has a massive impact on current decisions and choices. The author proves himself to be one of Poland’s finest reporters, combining skill with sensitivity and a commitment to truth.”

The Jan Długosz Award aims to popularize books in the broad field of the humanities by encouraging and motivating Polish publishers to publish the achievements of scholars and researchers. Until 2022, the competition focused primarily on academic literature. Since 2023, publishers of popular science books have also been invited to participate.

 

 

The Next Edition is Coming in a Year

The book fair has come to an end. It was four days filled with experiences and emotions that will be remembered for a long time. Once again, the event demonstrated that despite the many changes around us, one thing remains constant—the International Book Fair in Krakow® continues to be a place where the written word, connecting generations, cultures, and communities, is celebrated and allows us to take off our masks.

The next edition of the fair will take place in a year. Before that, however, organizers invite everyone to the BookGame Festival and Board Game Fair, which will be held from March 21-23, 2025, at EXPO Krakow.