Bucharest International Poetry Festival returns for 16th edition

The 16th edition of the Bucharest International Poetry Festival (BIPF) is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 20. This year’s theme, ‘Slow Gun Poetry / Poezie cu bătaie lungă’, is inspired by reflections from poet Cezar Ivănescu regarding the profound impact of a single written word.

The festival aims to use poetry as a tool for dialogue, empathy, and understanding reality rather than as an escape. Organizers, including the National Museum of Romanian Literature and the Bucharest City Hall, intend for the event to counter the use of language as a means of division or radicalization.

The program includes over 50 events, such as public readings, debates, conferences, exhibitions, and concerts. Participants and guests are expected from nearly 20 countries, including Armenia, Austria, China, France, Italy, and Turkey, among others. The official opening will be held at the ‘Carol I’ Central University Library auditorium.