France

With France as the guest of honour at the 29th Budapest International Book Festival held between September 26 and September 29 at Millenáris, we aim to create, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Hungary, the Hungarian Publishers and Booksellers Association (MKKE), the French bookshop Prélude and the French International Book Office (BIEF), a pavilion that showcases contemporary French literature.

The keyword of the French stand will be Reflection. It refers to the book acting as a mirror in front of which we stop to observe ourselves and start looking at the world with a fresh perspective. It symbolizes the pause we allow ourselves before entering into a discussion. The stand, envisioned by Demeter Design Studio, is conceived as a forum-like space where encounters and conversation will take centre stage.

A heritage of the great French thinkers and authors of past centuries, today's French literature is more socially committed than ever: it tackles the social issues of the 21st century with a concern for commitment, public criticism, and bearing witness. A movement for the liberation of speech is emerging, which constitutes the common ground for the seven French authors – Pierre Assouline, Arnaud Dudek, Didier Eribon, Magali Le Huche, Marie-Aude Murail, Pascale Robert-Diard, and Zanzim – who have so far confirmed their participation at the festival, and who all have a very special relevance in Hungary with one of their most famous works being translated into Hungarian in 2024. Their presence will provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary French literature, covering various genres, from children's literature to fiction and graphic novels, from historical novels to the humanities and social sciences. The titles presented will highlight themes such as memory and history, racism, homosexuality, moral freedom, grief, discrimination, and the uncertainties of the world.

France's invitation as the guest of honour is also an opportunity for several French publishing houses to travel to Hungary to meet their Central European counterparts.

As part of its Publication Support Program, the French Institute's Book Office has been working towards diversifying and increasing the number of French publications in Hungary for more than thirty years. This year's festival will be a unique opportunity to celebrate literary translation and discover not only French works recently translated into Hungarian, but also their authors and publishers.

Sponsors of the Guest of Honour programmes: