BEIJING, 17–21 June 2026 – Romania will participate in the 32nd edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), one of the most important international book fairs in Asia and a major platform for global publishing dialogue. Romania’s presence, organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing at the national stand of Romania (E1.A09), will include book launches, publishing presentations, conferences, professional meetings, and events dedicated to the promotion of Romanian literature, cultural heritage, and Sino-Romanian publishing cooperation.
This year’s programme will bring together authors, translators, publishers, researchers, and cultural professionals, contributing to the strengthening of relations between the publishing and academic communities of Romania and the People’s Republic of China.
A significant component of Romania’s participation will be dedicated to children's literature and book illustration through the presence of Romanian author and illustrator Diana Tivu. At the Romania Stand, she will deliver two masterclasses exploring the role of illustrated books in transmitting cultural values and the creative process behind developing memorable characters for children's literature.
During the masterclass “Handing Down Culture Through Books for Younger Generations”, Diana Tivu will examine how children’s literature can contribute to preserving and transmitting cultural heritage through fairy tales, historical figures, traditions, and literary classics reinterpreted for contemporary generations.
The second masterclass, “Building Memorable Picture Book Characters”, will offer audiences an insight into the creative process of developing characters that inspire curiosity, empathy, and imagination among young readers.
Diana Tivu’s participation will also extend to the official EUNIC China programme at BIBF 2026. On 20 June, on the International Stage of the fair, she will represent Romania at the European event “Words, Worlds & Vibes: European Voices in Youth Literature and Illustration at BIBF”, organized by the EUNIC China Cluster in partnership with the Beijing International Book Fair. On this occasion, she will present the masterclass and live illustration demonstration “Building Memorable Picture Book Characters”, introducing Chinese audiences to her approach to visual storytelling and character design.
Held on 18 and 20 June, the EUNIC programme will bring together authors and illustrators from Italy, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Sweden, and Spain, offering interactive workshops, readings, artist encounters, and activities for children and young audiences. The programme will promote the diversity of European cultures and intercultural dialogue through contemporary literature and illustration.
Romania’s editorial programme at BIBF 2026 will also include the launch of the Chinese edition of Aura Christi’s book “Austere Gardens”, published by Shandong Education Press, as well as the launch of the Chinese translation of Mihai Eminescu’s fairy tale “Făt-Frumos din Lacrimă”, published by Liaoning Publishing House.
Another important event will be the presentation of the volume “Embraced by a Deep Silence” by Chinese writer Gao Xing, published in Romanian by Ideea Europeană Publishing House, a publishing project reflecting the growing circulation of literature between the two cultural spaces.
The fair will also feature the presentation of a volume dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Cucuteni Culture, published by Cultural Relics Publishing House in Beijing, one of the oldest and most representative prehistoric civilizations in Europe. The programme will further include an event dedicated to contemporary literature from the Republic of Moldova, organized with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the People’s Republic of China.
Another important event within BIBF 2026 will be the session dedicated to contemporary literature from the Republic of Moldova. The special guest, Petru Frunze, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the People’s Republic of China, will present the evolution of contemporary Moldovan literature, the main directions of current literary creation, and the presence of Moldovan authors in the international publishing landscape.
Romania’s participation in BIBF 2026 will also be marked by significant international recognition. The organizers of the fair have announced the awarding of the prestigious Special Book Award of China to Mr. Andrei Potlog, Director of Ideea Europeană Publishing House. Established in 2005 by the National Press and Publication Administration of the People's Republic of China, the award represents the highest distinction granted by the Chinese state to foreign personalities who have contributed to the promotion of Chinese culture and the development of international publishing exchanges and translation programmes. Previous laureates have included publishers, translators, and cultural promoters from the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many other countries.
Through the diversity of its programme and the partnerships developed with publishing, academic, and cultural institutions in China, Romania’s participation in the Beijing International Book Fair 2026 will provide an important platform for promoting contemporary Romanian literature, national cultural heritage, and cultural dialogue between Romania and China.
Diana Tivu is an author, illustrator, and visual artist specializing in children's literature. A graduate of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning in Bucharest, she developed her artistic path through self-directed study of drawing and creative writing. Since 2015, she has worked as an independent illustrator, collaborating with some of Romania’s leading children's publishers.
Her portfolio includes illustrations for Romanian and international classics, books by contemporary authors, and numerous personal projects. Among her best-known creations are the “Scared Pillow” series, the book “The Cart-House”, and the comic-book series “Otter and Badger”, which includes the volumes “Little Raisin Cozonacs” and “Pumpkin with Carrots”.
She prefers traditional pen-and-watercolour techniques, complemented by digital tools whenever required by a project. In addition to her publishing work, she regularly leads reading, creativity, and illustration workshops for children in schools, libraries, festivals, and cultural institutions in Romania and abroad. Her complete portfolio can be consulted at: www.dianativu.ro
