May 13, 2026
by One Year of ELIVIP and First Presentation of the 22nd TIBF
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Hellenic Foundation for Book and Culture (ELIVIP) presented its activities, future actions, and the core pillars of the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF) at its new headquarters, the “House of Books.” The Fair will take place from Thursday, May 7 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, featuring the theme “Generation of Readers / Book Creators” (GeneReaders_BookGenerators) with Bulgaria as the Guest of Honor.
The Press Conference was attended by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni; the Deputy Minister of Culture, Iasonas Fotilas; the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, Victor Stoyanov; and the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Greece, Valentin Poriazov.
The House of Books
The neoclassical building at 134-136 Ermou Street is the new “House of Books.” It was granted by the Ministry of Culture to ELIVIP to house all the Foundation’s operations, aiming to serve as a central hub for books and the people of the industry.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:
“It is with great pleasure that we present today the activities and planning of the Hellenic Foundation for Book and Culture in a space that is now acquiring a permanent identity as the ‘House of Books.’ The creation and operation of ELIVIP are part of the Ministry of Culture’s broader plan to establish a cohesive and modern book policy.
The decision to grant the use of the Ermou Street building to ELIVIP perfectly serves this goal: to place the book at the heart of the city, in the center of Athens, so that citizens can easily and meaningfully participate in its actions. This is an iconic building, fully restored by the Ministry’s services, returning to the public with a new, vibrant role.
The book is irreplaceable as a cultural asset. No matter how much our information, entertainment, and updates now pass through the internet, modern technology, and Artificial Intelligence, the book remains a unique companion and a tool for mental health and tranquility.
The proclamation of 2026 as the Year of Reading Literacy, the development of the GreekLit program, and the creation of new institutions like the International Children’s and Youth Book Fair reflect the Ministry’s focus on strengthening the book sector.”
Deputy Minister of Culture Iasonas Fotilas stated:
“There are moments when policy is justified not by announcements, but by results. This is one such moment. We all remember the situation the Ministry faced not long ago: a National Book Center struggling to meet modern demands and a Hellenic Foundation for Culture frozen in time.
ELIVIP, under the leadership of Nikos Bakounakis, achieved a true feat in less than a year. It addressed past pending issues, set the institutional foundations, and gradually assumed its decisive role in shaping government policy for books and letters.
And this is only the beginning! ELIVIP’s strategic role is multifaceted: cultivating a love of reading, promoting Greek books and creators at home and abroad, and establishing the international presence befitting a country with a living literary tradition.”
The Deputy Minister of Culture of Bulgaria, Victor Stoyanov, stated:
“Over the last decade, Bulgarian literature has gained increasing international visibility. Bulgarian literature is proud of Georgi Gospodinov’s 2023 International Booker Prize, as well as Rene Karabash’s selection for the 2026 shortlist of the same prize.
As the Guest of Honor, we have designed a literary program centered on the idea that highlighting creators writing in underrepresented languages is a collective effort. During the Thessaloniki Book Fair in May 2026, we will focus on inviting significant creators of our contemporary scene, such as Teodora Dimova, Elena Alexieva, Rene Karabash, Ina Valchanova, and Iana Boukova.
Ten publishers from Bulgaria will participate in the professional program, giving Greek authors in fiction, children’s books, poetry, and non-fiction the opportunity to gain greater visibility in Bulgaria through more translations of Greek titles into Bulgarian.”
The President of ELIVIP, Nikos Bakounakis, stated:
“In its year and a half of operation, ELIVIP is the undisputed body for books and book policies in Greece. It constitutes the country’s largest institution for the book, with resources allocated to financial tools like GreekLit, infrastructure like the new Biblionet, and large-scale actions such as the TIBF and residency programs. I am happy that its installation in this stunning building in the historic Kerameikos area marks the symbolic return of the book to the city center.”
Photo Captions:
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Main Photo (left to right): President of ELIVIP Nikos Bakounakis, Deputy Minister of Culture Iasonas Fotilas, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Culture Victor Stoyanov, Bulgarian Ambassador Valentin Poriazov, and Marianna Petrova, Minister Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria.
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Photo 2: Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni with Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Culture Victor Stoyanov.
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Photography: Alexandros Berthanis
Organizers: The Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF) is organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Book and Culture (ELIVIP) in collaboration with TIF–HELEXPO, Greek publishers, and the Municipality of Thessaloniki, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Central Macedonia. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
