The festival is expected to draw a record 162 exhibitors, 118 programmes and more than 300 book-signing events, organisers said.

Teller will receive the Budapest Grand Prize. The Romanian Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Budapest Institute of Romanian Culture, will present the country's diverse literature in a separate pavilion, through an array of programmes, Katalin Gal of the organiser Hungarian Publishers' and Booksellers' Association told a press conference.

The Budapest French Institute will also announce a new prize for young literary translators from French to Hungarian, Gal said.

Janne Teller

The Danish author of Austrian-German descent was born in Copenhagen in 1964. She originally studied economics and law, and then worked as an economic and political advisor for the United Nations and the European Union around the world.

In her work, she operated in endangered regions such as Tanzania, Mozambique, and Bangladesh. In 1995, she left her professional career to fully dedicate herself to literature. She currently divides her life between Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris.

After several essays, short stories, and studies, her debut novel Odin's Island, written in the style of the modern Nordic saga, was published in 1999. Since then, she has published many successful books. Her works spark lively debates worldwide.

She always asks serious and uncomfortable questions, confronts the most dreadful consequences of our actions, and forces us to take a stand. She focuses on conflicts in her works that affect all of us.

Her most famous work, the controversial Nothing (Intet), is not simply a young adult novel but a work that deals with serious philosophical, moral, and generational issues.

Its impact was unprecedented in Denmark: it was initially banned in schools, but the year after its release (2001), it unexpectedly won the Danish Ministry of Culture's Children’s Book Award—since then, it has been mandatory reading.

The controversial book became an international bestseller; in 2008, it won the French prize for Best Young Adult Novel (Le Prix Libbylit). It has been performed as a play in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and France. In Hungary, it has also been staged in several theaters and has been playing with great success for years.

Romania

With Romania as the guest of honour at the 30th Budapest International Book Festival, taking place between October 2 and October 5, 2025 in Budapest, a vibrant celebration of Romanian literature is in store.

The Romanian presence, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture of Romania in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute in Budapest, will feature a pavilion showcasing the best of contemporary Romanian writing.

This special programme aims to highlight Romania’s literary talent on an international stage and strengthen cultural ties through the shared love of books.

The theme of the Romanian pavilion, “Books For Friends,” positions books as bridges of friendship and mutual understanding. It underscores the idea that stories can connect people across cultures, sparking dialogue and empathy.

Reflecting this spirit, the stand is envisioned as a welcoming space where encounters and conversations between readers and writers take centre stage, inviting festival-goers to engage with literature – and each other – in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

Romania’s contemporary literature builds on a rich heritage while embracing the voices of today. It is dynamic and diverse, ranging from introspective fiction and bold poetry to imaginative children’s tales and insightful non-fiction.

This diversity will be on full display through Romanian authors such as Ioana Pârvulescu, Radu Vancu, Alex Donovici, Stejărel Olaru, Alexandru Vakulovski, Gabriela Adameșteanu, Peter Demeny, Filip Florian, Ioan T. Morar, Moni Stănilă, Andrei Dosa and more  who have confirmed their participation as part of the guest of honour programme.

Collectively, they offer a panoramic view of Romania’s literary scene, covering genres from fiction and poetry to children’s literature and historical non-fiction.

All of these authors’ most acclaimed works are available in Hungarian translation, underscoring the existing literary dialogue between the two countries.

Hungarian readers will be able to discover and enjoy Romanian stories in their own language, making the exchange of ideas even more immediate.

The featured titles span a wide array of themes – from memory and history to friendship, identity, and the challenges of modern life – echoing the festival’s spirit of connection through storytelling.

Romania’s invitation as guest of honour is also a significant opportunity for Romanian publishers and literary professionals. By fostering new partnerships and rights exchanges, this participation as guest of honor country aims to strengthen regional cooperation and open new pathways for Romanian books within Central European publishing networks.

A spotlight will shine on the art of literary translation, emphasizing its crucial role in cultural dialogue between Romania and Hungary.

Over the years, initiatives by the Romanian Cultural Institute and the Ministry of Culture have supported Hungarian translations of Romanian works (and vice versa), helping to build bridges between the two literary communities.

The 2025 Book Festival will celebrate these efforts – from translators and publishers to cultural institutions – that bring Romanian and Hungarian readers closer together. Festival attendees can look forward to discussions on translation, book launches, and meet-and-greet sessions, all highlighting how literature transcends language barriers.

Under the slogan of “Books For Friends,” Romania’s presence at the Budapest International Book Festival 2025 promises to be an inspiring celebration of friendship through literature.

Visitors are invited to join in this literary friendship – to explore the rich tapestry of Romanian stories, meet the authors behind them, and engage in the lively cultural exchange that defines the festival.

Venue: 
Bálna Centre of Military Culture
1093 Budapest, Fővám tér 11-12

More: 
Budapest International Book Festival

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.