Between Retiro and the Palace of Culture—On the Most Important Book Fairs

Spring and fall in Poland and Spain are truly special—they’re the times when the major cities of both countries transform into the literary capitals of Europe. Book fairs are not only a celebration for readers, but above all the beating heart of the publishing industry, a meeting place for authors, publishers, translators, and literary agents.

The Poznań Book Fair kicks off the Polish book fair season, attracting families and young readers in March. This event grows in importance year after year thanks to its rich lineup and an atmosphere that encourages meetings with authors and workshops. The season culminates with the International Book Fair in Warsaw, held in May at the Palace of Culture and Science and on Parade Square. It is the largest and most prestigious industry event in Poland, bringing together over 600 exhibitors from Poland and abroad, as well as hundreds of authors. The Warsaw fair is renowned for its rich program of author meetings, panel discussions, and the presence of guests of honor—in 2025, it was South Korea.

In the fall, attention turns to Kraków, a UNESCO City of Literature. The Kraków International Book Fair, held in October, is an event with a unique atmosphere that attracts both Polish and international authors, as well as thousands of book lovers. The program features plenty of book launches, workshops, and industry panels.

Sunny Spain, in turn, can kick off the book fair season with an outdoor event, the Feria del Libro de Madrid, held in the spring in Retiro Park, is a true celebration of literature for the general public—hundreds of booths, author meet-and-greets, and a picnic-like atmosphere attract tens of thousands of readers. However, the most important industry event is the LIBER International Book Fair, held alternately in Madrid and Barcelona. This event brings together publishers, literary agents, and professionals from across the Spanish-speaking world. LIBER is where the fate of books on the Spanish and Latin American markets is decided.

A country’s participation as a guest of honor at a book fair is not only a matter of prestige but also a real opportunity to promote literature and culture and to establish international contacts. In Warsaw, this role is reserved for countries with a significant literary heritage—in recent years, these have included Ukraine, Italy, and South Korea.

At the LIBER book fair in Spain, the guests of honor are most often countries from Latin America. However, in 2023, Poland was invited as the guest of honor—an event widely hailed as a tremendous honor and an opportunity to promote Polish literature in the Spanish-speaking world. More than 20 Polish publishers showcased their work at the 120-square-meter national booth, and the program included both industry presentations and cultural events promoting children’s literature, new technologies, and contemporary authors. Poland had never before played such a prestigious role at the LIBER Fair. Its participation as a guest of honor was the result of many years of promotional efforts by the Book Institute and the Polish Institute in Madrid.

It is surprising that Spain, despite its rich literary tradition and the growing popularity of its authors in Poland, has never been a guest of honor at a Polish book fair. The selection of guests of honor in Warsaw or Kraków is often dictated by current cultural priorities, diplomatic relations, or anniversaries. Perhaps the rotation of countries that actively invest in promoting their literature on the Polish market also plays a role.

So far, Spain hasn't made it onto this list—perhaps it's time to change that?