Sofia hosts a book forum at international level since 1968, and in 2017 the forum will celebrate its 45th anniversary. The book fair represents a major asset in the panel of Bulgarian cultural events. National publishing houses as well as foreign exhibitors display their literary production and exchange views during the 6 days event, which takes place just before Christmas holidays. The National Palace of Culture, the largest multifunctional conference and exhibition centre in south eastern Europe, is the home of the book fair since 1993. Through the years SIBF has expanded and nowadays it takes place on four floors of the building. During the last decade SIBF proudly welcomed Russia, Hungary, France, Romania, the city of Moscow and many more international stands as special guests. The event also became a preferred scene for literary debates, round tables and public readings both for publishers and for the audience.In 2013 the Sofia International Literary Festival became a part of the Sofia International Book Fair: each year the festival has a different regional focus which allows visitors to explore some of the best contemporary fiction titles in different languages. In 2017 the festival will focus on the literature of the four Visegrad countries – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Through its diverse programme of readings, discussions, poetry-and-music, cinema screenings, live music performances, exhibitions and other activities the festival became one of the most creative and well attended cultural events in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Book Association organizes both fora with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia municipality, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, the National Library, Bulgarian translators’ union, Sofia City Library, and other institutions.

Read more on Aldus publication European Book Fairs: Facts and Figures