1. Conrad Festival (Kraków, Poland)
When: 20-26 October 2025
What makes it unmissable: This is one of the biggest international literature festivals in Poland. The 2025 theme is “Radical Hope” (or in Polish “Nadzieja radykalna”)
Why you’d love it: Lots of panels, famous authors (Emily St. John Mandel, etc). Ideal for writers, translators, and serious lit-fans.
Bonus tip: Kraków itself is gorgeous — combine festival time with exploring the city.
2. Iaşi International Festival of Literature and Translation (FILIT) (Iaşi, Romania)
When: 22 – 26 October 2025
What it brings: A major regional literary festival with a focus on translation, writers from many countries, workshops, readings.
Why consider it: Something a little off the beaten path, lots of international flavour, and a chance to catch authors and translators in action.
3. Literary Talks Sofia (Sofia, Bulgaria)
When: 24-26 April 2025 (according to announcement)
Theme: “Archaeology of Memory” — exploring memory, literature, storytelling.
Why it’s cool: Free entry to all events, mix of global authors. Great for getting creative sparks.
4. Louisiana Literature (Humlebæk, Denmark)
When: Around the third weekend of August 2025
What stands out: It’s set in the gorgeous setting of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art—so literature + art + seaside = major creative combo.
Why you might love it: It’s less about big crowds and more about meaningful conversations — good for getting inspired.
5. Sea of Books (Varna, Bulgaria)
When: 2 – 10 August 2025
What’s sweet about it: A summer festival in a coastal town — lighter vibe, open‐air settings, book stalls + readings right in the pedestrian zone.
Why you might go: If you combine it with a beachy break, it’s perfect.
