The XVIII St. Petersburg International Book Hall is scheduled to unfold in St. Petersburg from May 18 to May 21, with Deputy Governor Boris Piotrovsky sharing the latest plans via the city Telegram channel. The event is framed as a profound cultural milestone, aligning with several significant occasions that shape the city’s cultural calendar. Among them is the 320th anniversary of St. Petersburg, a year dedicated to recognizing teachers and mentors, and the city’s designation as the CIS cultural capital for 2023. These themes will weave through the fair, underscoring a year-long effort to celebrate education, heritage, and regional exchange in the literary sphere.
Four pavilions will be set up in Saray Square, offering space for a robust lineup of book displays and activities. At least 200 publishers are expected to participate, bringing a wide array of titles, genres, and perspectives to the event. In a continuation of a proven support model from prior editions, the deputy governor affirmed that there would be no registration fees for participants, ensuring inclusive access for publishing houses and authors alike. This approach helps smaller presses and independent authors gain visibility alongside larger publishing groups, contributing to a diverse and dynamic market presence during the fair.
Inside the fair, attendees can anticipate a rich program designed to engage readers, writers, and industry professionals. The agenda features presentations that introduce new works, master classes that offer hands-on sessions for up-and-coming writers, and meetings with authors who will discuss craft, trends, and the publishing landscape. In addition to discussions, the schedule includes performances and lectures that span literary criticism, storytelling, translation, and cultural exchange, reflecting the fair’s aim to entertain as well as inform. These activities are designed to foster dialogue among participants and to showcase the vitality of contemporary publishing in the region.
St. Petersburg International Book Hall has been a steady literary event since 2006, drawing attendees from across Russia and beyond. In 2022 the fair welcomed more than half a million visitors, underscoring its importance as a cultural and commercial hub for books, ideas, and conversations that shape readers’ lives and the publishing industry alike. The ongoing growth of attendance and participation signals continued interest in books as a central vehicle for learning, imagination, and community building in northern Russia and the broader Baltic region.
In related news, the city earlier announced that Moscow will host the Red Square book festival from June 2 to June 6. This neighboring cultural initiative complements the Petersburg Book Hall by extending Russia’s national literary calendar, encouraging cross-city collaboration and broader exposure for authors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts across major urban centers.