Bulgaria's Spring Book Fair opens on 1 June in Sofia, bringing over 150 publishers to the park outside the National Palace of Culture. The usual hubbub around the fountains near NDK is about to swell as the capital hosts Bulgaria's largest open-air literary event for its week-long run.
Entry is free. The fair runs daily 10:00 to 20:00 until 7 June, closing an hour earlier on the final day. The Bulgarian Book Association organises it with backing from the Ministry of Culture and Sofia Municipality.
British Mythologist Among International Guests
Running alongside the main fair from 1 to 6 June, the Sofia International Literature Festival for Children and Youth brings British mythologist Thiago de Moraes plus German fantasy writer Tanya Stewner and Czech authors Vaclav Dvorak and Stepanka Sekaninova. Activities include readings, book signings, discussions, workshops and interactive sessions aimed at younger audiences.
Bulgarian children's authors Petya Kokudeva and Maria Peeva feature in the opening-day programme, alongside events marking anniversaries of well-known children's titles. A selection of Bulgarian children's books recognised at BRAW Amazing Bookshelf Bologna 2026 will be presented, according to Novinite.com, though the specific titles have not been independently confirmed.
Bulgaria's Wider Literary Outreach
Sofia has established itself as Bulgaria's largest open-air book event venue, with the National Palace of Culture park becoming the traditional meeting point for readers and writers each spring. The Bulgarian Book Association projects attendance in the thousands, based on previous years, though these figures are expectations rather than confirmed counts.
Beyond the domestic fair, Bulgaria is preparing to participate as an honoured guest at the Bookfest fair in Bucharest, where contemporary Bulgarian literature will be showcased through readings, discussions and presentations to an international audience. Our integration guide covers the broader cultural calendar for British expats in Bulgaria.
What This Means for British Expats
For British tourists visiting Sofia in early June or British expats already living in Bulgaria, the fair offers practical access to Bulgarian and international publishing. De Moraes's appearance gives UK literary communities a specific connection point. The fair also represents opportunities for British publishers and authors to engage with the Bulgarian and regional market, though no formal trade programme has been announced.
The event is outdoors. Weather permitting, the tents should fill nicely, though organisers have not published any contingency plans. According to Novinite.com, the official opening is scheduled for 1 June at 11:00 in a specially constructed festival tent near the National Palace of Culture, though this timing has not been independently corroborated.
It is worth noting that while most event details are sourced from Novinite.com and confirmed by the Bulgarian Book Association, some specifics including the official opening ceremony timing and the exact children's book recognitions from Bologna lack independent confirmation at the time of publication.