by Roxana Istudor
BUCHAREST, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- "Gaudeamus" International Educational Book Fair concluded its 21st edition on Sunday in Bucharest, after hosting a five-day marathon of publishing and professional events, with president-elect Klaus Iohannis launching his autobiography at the Fair.
"Printed books still have an important place in our lives," said Wednesday at the opening ceremony Ovidiu Miculescu, head of the Radio Romania public broadcaster, organizer of the fair.
The launching ceremony of Iohannis' autobiography set off a climax on the first day of the fair.
"I have no sensational element to tell, as a matter of fact I do not believe that sensationalism is very important. In me you will have president who tries to reconnect books to man and man to books. I wish we could see again queues for books," said the president-elect.
The autobiography "Step by Step" tells the story of the child, student, family man and mayor Iohannis. For the first time, the winner of the presidential elections speaks openly of less known aspects of his life.
"I never had literary, or doctrinaire ambitions. I wanted to show how I evolved in public life and what were my values, how I saw development in the public space," said Iohannis.
The autobiography registered a record sales of 4,500 copies in the first hours at the Fair. A large crowd lined up for autographs and Iohannis signed over 2,000 books during the event.
"I thank Mr. president(-elect). I have managed to get a book with his autograph," said visitor Marius.
The president-elect came for a second time at the Fair two days later, to be present at the launch of "Transition. The first 25 years", a book of dialogues by Professor of Public Policy Alina Mungiu-Pippidi and journalist Vartan Arachelian.
More than 300 exhibitors displayed their works at the fair. The privileged partner of the edition this year remained the Group of the Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutes in Romania, while the Russian Federation became the guest of honor.
The large spectrum of literary works displayed at the "Gaudeamus" fair included politics, religion, history, scientific research, media, memoirs, fiction, poetry, film, music, fairytales.
Translated books like "Between Sky and Earth" by Jon Kalman Stefansson, "The Girl from the Edge of Life" by Mircea Cartarescu, "Wine Country" by Mo Yan, China's first Nobel laureate in literature, took the stage one by one at the Fair.
Journalism books were also present. "Truth and Corruption", launched at the Fair by journalist Ion Marin, is "a radiography of the power of investigating media in the 90's," the author told Xinhua.
The National History Museum, for the first time present at the Fair, launched historical research books, such as "The Treasures of China, "Bucharest 555th (anniversary)" or "Numismatics Research."
Also present at the "Gaudeamus" Fair, the Union of Editors in Romania organized major exhibitions related to literary contests, book design and best book illustrators.
"I found beautiful books for children. I wish there were fairs like these in smaller cities," said Dana, a visitor from Ilfov County.
In its first two decades of existence, "Gaudeamus" fair attracted 2,300,000 visitors and organized about 8,700 literary events. Still, the publishers complain about the decline of the book industry and publishing market in Romania.
In the last few years, two thirds of the publishing houses closed, the number of employees diminished by 50 percent and the book market fell down with almost 40 percent.
"In Romania, we sell one book per person in a year, meanwhile the average on western countries is seven times higher," said the Union of Editors.
Most of the publishers consider that the top motives for the undevelopment of the book market of the country are the low income of the population, problems of the distribution system, poor legislation and weak support from the authorities.
Also, the electronic formats and the lack of bookshops in many counties concur to the result that the Romanian book market rises only to 100 million euros (124 million U.S. dollars), after diminishing every year since 2008.
In comparison, 22 publishing houses in Germany have an annual turnover in excess of 50 million euros. Hungary has a three times larger market for a three times less population.
"Romania is in the last place in the European Union in the book industry," said Grigore Arsene, Director of the "Curtea Veche" Publishing House. (1 euro = 1.24 U.S. dollars)
