Gaudeamus was full of people this year — friends, readers, and especially students, the friends of Sisinel and Platanos, the two characters from my recent novel Platanos.
Among other things, there was a book-fair interview at Radio Romania Actualități with Anca Șurian, as well as a short report on RRA, which I am posting here:
It is the final day of the Gaudeamus Radio Romania Book Fair at Romexpo in the capital.
It is a day packed with events, both at the publishers’ stands and in the dedicated spaces, and the fair’s awards will be presented at the end.
Yesterday there were meetings between readers and writers, autograph sessions, and more than 180 publishing houses offered discounts ranging from 20% on newer titles to as much as 80% on older stock.
It was a lively fair, as appreciated by two of the most renowned Romanian authors:
Mircea Cărtărescu — who came to Gaudeamus this time as a reader in search of books — and Doina Ruști.
They spoke with reporter Ancuța Caproș.
Reporter: We found Doina Ruști surrounded by teenagers, in a discussion about her newest book, Platanos. How does the fair feel to you this year?
Doina Ruști: This year it’s quite crowded again, there are many children, and at the same time it feels calmer than in other editions — fewer words, more autographs.
Reporter: Mircea Cărtărescu, here at Gaudeamus, looking for books, right?
Mircea Cărtărescu: Good afternoon — looking for books, for people, for friends, for atmosphere, for everything that still makes life pleasant.
Reporter: How does the fair seem to you this year compared to other years? You’ve also been president of this fair, you know its history…
Mircea Cărtărescu: Yes, I know its history since the time it was held at the National Theatre. Thank God that cultural events like this still exist, easing our lives a little and responding to our need to experience good things. In my opinion, there is an abundance of books — you can choose from so much — an abundance of publishers, with new ones appearing all the time, so I would say there is a certain cultural effervescence.
Gaudeamus, Radio România Actualități
