On May 15 at 12 pm, the Warsaw International Book Fair 2025 was officially opened in the Auditorium of the Museum of Modern Art.
The official opening was attended by, among others: Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Speaker of the Polish Senate; Hanna Wróblewska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage; Marta Cienkowska, Deputy Minister of Culture; Andrzej Szeptycki, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education; Shik Kim, Chargé d`Affaires of the Republic of Korea in Poland; Øystein Bø, Ambassador of Norway; Artur Jóźwik, Director of the Cultural Office of the City of Warsaw, as well as many representatives of the diplomatic corps, trade organizations, Polish and foreign cultural institutions, the media and people representing the book sector.
The guests were welcomed by Jacek Oryl, director of the Warsaw International Book Fair, who stressed that this largest fair event, as far as the publishing industry in Poland is concerned, is attended by 620 exhibitors from Poland and 19 other countries: Republic of Korea – the guest of honour, as well as from Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Philippines, France, Spain, Lithuania, Germany, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Italy, Free Belarus represented by independent authors and publishers, and United Arab Emirates. More than a thousand authors, experts, historians, translators, illustrators and people representing the publishing industry and the cultural community will meet with the public. The fair takes place on three stages and in seven halls, including the recently opened Museum of Modern Art.
– I am very proud that the Polish fair, the Warsaw Book Fair, is one of the most important in Europe. The scale of this fair is huge, and I’m glad that thousands of readers come to it every year. In today’s difficult and dangerous times, without a book it is difficult to understand and learn about history, it is difficult to find one’s place in reality, and even more difficult to dream of a good future. The guiding slogan of the fair – “Worlds connected by words” – shows how literature allows us to cross borders, language barriers. We can read Korean books, French books in Poland, not knowing these languages, and feel as the authors of these works wanted, in the areas of culture, civilization of the idea.
Without books, the world will not change, and I am glad that there are still those for whom it is the most important and interesting source of learning about and understanding the world. I am glad that so many authors reach for the pen and want to share their imagination, their thoughts with us, said Malgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. And she added: – There is another unique thing. Again we have the Minister of Culture at the fair. I hope it will always be like this.
Minister Hanna Wróblewska stressed that she was very happy to be present at the opening of the fair. – I would like to thank all those who make the meeting with books possible at all. So, standing on this stage, I would like to thank creators, writers, poets, editors, printmakers, librarians, literary journalists and bloggers, employees of institutions, associations and foundations that promote books and reading. This is the involvement of very, very many people. I thank you all very much.
Minister Shik Kim – Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Korea in Poland, conveyed that a variety of events await fair participants to introduce contemporary Korean art and culture, in which books have a unique significance. The rich culture and history of Korean literature have developed a distinctive and attractive Korean style of storytelling. – We are confident that at this year’s Warsaw International Book Fair, books will serve as an important cultural bridge between people from Poland and Korea.
During the opening ceremony, Magdalena Duszyńska-Walczak, long-time president of the Nowa Era publishing house, was honoured with the title of Friend of the Book. This is the highest honour awarded by the Council of the Polish Book Chamber.
Minister of Culture Hanna Wróblewska recognized the community of graphic designers and book designers by presenting medals Meritorious to Culture Gloria Artis.
During the opening ceremony of the WIBF, the prestigious award of the book community, the Icarus Publishing and Bookselling Season Award, was presented. It was awarded to Father Adam Boniecki “for the wisdom and courage of written and spoken words, for sensitivity that knows no exclusion,” as stated in the justification”.
Afterwards, a delegation headed by Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage Hanna Wroblewska and Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Korea in Poland Minister Shik Kim officially opened the Korean stand. The exhibition in the Marmurowa Hall of the Palace of Culture and Science is dedicated to how literature can connect countries, crossing not only geographical, but also linguistic and cultural boundaries.
At the end of the first day of the fair, during the Exhibitor’s Evening, its participants had the opportunity to watch a unique performance. New Pansori: “O krasnoludkach i sierotce Marysi” is a traditional Korean mini opera based on the Polish fairy tale by Maria Konopnicka.
