Every autumn, the sound of flipping pages and the scent of fresh print fill the halls of the Belgrade Fair. From October 25 to November 2, 2025, the city once again becomes the capital of literature. The 68th International Belgrade Book Fair, held under the slogan “Your New Story,” will take place across Halls 1, 1A, 2A, and 4, bringing together publishers, writers, and book lovers from around the world.
This year’s Guest of Honor Country is Cyprus, whose delegation will showcase the island’s vibrant literary scene and culture of the Eastern Mediterranean. But beyond the official program, the Fair hides countless fascinating stories — some of which even regular visitors might not know.
A Look Back: How It All Began
Did you know that the first Yugoslav Book Fair was held back in 1956 — not in Belgrade, but in Zagreb? Under the patronage of President Josip Broz Tito, the event gathered some of the most prominent writers of the time, including Ivo Andrić and Miroslav Krleža. More than 12,000 books from around the world were showcased, turning the fair into a true celebration of literature.
Just a year later, in 1957, the fair moved to the newly built Belgrade Fair complex, where it quickly became one of the city’s cultural landmarks and a key literary event in the region. The first Belgrade Book Fair was officially opened by Rodoljub Čolaković, then Vice President of the Federal Executive Council — marking the beginning of a beloved tradition that continues to this day.
A Cultural Landmark of Belgrade
For generations, the Fair has been more than a literary event — it’s a Belgrade tradition.
In surveys conducted in the 2010s, citizens ranked the Belgrade Book Fair as the most recognizable cultural brand of the city, surpassing music, film, and art festivals.
Through the decades, the Fair has hosted world-famous writers such as Paulo Coelho, Umberto Eco, Orhan Pamuk, Erlend Loe, and Matt Haig, alongside the greatest Serbian authors.
Interestingly, some visitors have attended every single year for decades — always at the same time, in the same hall. Publishers even know some of them by name.
Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Belgrade Book Fair
- Books used to be more expensive than today. In the 1960s, the average book cost about half of a day’s wage — owning books was a statement.
- One title has appeared at every single Fair: Ivo Andrić’s The Bridge on the Drina. Regardless of the edition, it always sells out.
- There’s a so-called “Silent Corner” in Hall 1, known among regulars as the calmest place to sit and read away from the crowd.
- The record number of visitors was set in 2019, with over 180,000 attendees. Last year’s Fair (2024) drew more than 170,000 book lovers.
- The Fair never stopped — even during the 1990s. Despite sanctions and crises, it continued every year, keeping the love for literature alive.
- The Fair tote bag has become a collector’s item. The first designs appeared in the 1980s, and each year brings a new limited edition.
The 2025 Edition: Books, Stories, and Cyprus in Focus
This year, the Fair will host over 400 exhibitors — publishers, distributors, and booksellers from Serbia and abroad. Cyprus, as the Guest of Honor, will present a series of literary events, discussions, and book launches that connect Mediterranean culture with Serbian readers.
The accompanying program includes talks with authors, book signings, debates, and presentations of young and digital writers — proving that the Fair evolves with each generation.
Where Every Autumn Begins with a Story
In Halls 1, 1A, 2A, and 4, surrounded by words, paper, and passion, begins the 68th chapter of the Belgrade Book Fair. Its slogan, “Your New Story,” isn’t just a theme — it’s an invitation. Because every book you discover there adds a new line to your own story.
And who knows — maybe this year, among the countless shelves and faces, you’ll find the story that finds you.
