The 33rd BookForum Opens in Lviv
The 33rd International BookForum begins on September 10 in Lviv. Over the course of four days, the city will host writers, publishers, translators, and readers, with the program featuring more than 300 events at dozens of venues. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi called on Ukrainians to buy and read books, emphasizing that Russia is destroying Ukrainian book publishing along with the country’s cultural heritage.
The 33rd Lviv International BookForum will run from September 10 to 13. For several days, Lviv will transform into a major literary hub where visitors can meet authors, buy new books, listen to discussions, and simply talk about literature. This year’s forum theme is “The Responsibility of Literature.” The organizers aim to discuss the role of writers and books in times of war, the power of words, Ukrainian culture, and how literature influences society.
The program is truly extensive. It includes over 300 events, more than 200 authors, and dozens of venues across Lviv. Events will take place in museums, libraries, arts centers, universities, and other spaces throughout the city.
“For three days, Lviv will once again be a city of books.”
On the eve of the forum, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi noted that preparations for the event are still underway. In particular, he humorously mentioned the issues with book bags, which, he said, remain one of the organizational details to be worked out. At the same time, the mayor emphasized that what matters most is not the packaging, but the books themselves and the people who create them.
“For these three days, Lviv will once again be a city of books, authors, publishers, and readers,” Sadovyi noted.
He also called on Ukrainians to support the book industry not only with words but also with purchases.
“Buy books. Read. Support those who write, publish, and sell them,” the mayor urged.
Books have become yet another target of Russian attacks
Against the backdrop of the war, the book forum holds not only cultural but also very practical significance for Ukraine. Russian strikes are destroying printing houses, warehouses, bookstores, and other infrastructure related to book publishing. In its statement, this year’s BookForum called these attacks part of a large-scale destruction of Ukrainian books and used the term “bookocide.” According to the Ukrainian Publishers Association, in the summer of 2026 alone, approximately 13 million books were destroyed, including Ukrainian literature, translations, children’s books, and textbooks.
That is precisely why the call to buy Ukrainian books today sounds completely different than it did a few years ago. It’s not just about making a pleasant purchase for yourself. It’s also a way to support authors, publishers, bookstores, and the entire industry, which continues to operate during the war. The book industry depends on whether there are people who read and buy books. If a book finds its reader, the author gets the opportunity to continue writing, the publisher can release new titles, and the bookstore can remain a part of city life.
What to Expect at BookForum
This year’s program is divided into eight thematic clusters. They cover a variety of topics—from literary discussions and poetry to photo books, professional talks about the book market, and international collaboration. Among the forum’s participants are well-known Ukrainian writers, poets, translators, publishers, and cultural figures. The program includes discussions on war, fear, the future, the role of literature, and the author’s responsibility for what they write.
One of the main events will be a discussion on the responsibility of literature. Serhiy Zhadan, Artur Dron, and Yuriy Makarov will participate in it. The organizers have also prepared discussions on the modern world, anxiety, the future, and the role of books in challenging times. A separate professional cluster will be dedicated to the book industry. There, participants will discuss the Ukrainian book market, reading habits, copyright, international cooperation, and the entry of Ukrainian books into foreign markets.
There will also be a photobook cluster. It will feature documentary publications, photo albums, and self-published works, as well as discussions on the place of Ukrainian photobooks in contemporary culture.
The Book Fair Takes Center Stage Again
One of the main reasons to attend BookForum is the book fair. Here, you can not only listen to authors but also pick out a new book and chat with representatives from publishing houses. After the outbreak of full-scale war, the format of book events in Lviv had to be changed. But last year, the large book fair returned to the Lviv Palace of Arts. This year, it will once again be one of the forum’s main venues.
The fair will feature books across various genres. Visitors will be able to find contemporary Ukrainian literature, historical publications, fantasy, children’s books, translations, and specialized literature. For those unable to travel to Lviv, some of the main events will be streamed online. Live streams will be available on the BookForum YouTube channel throughout all four days.
BookForum During the War
This year’s forum is taking place amid a full-scale war. Therefore, safety remains a key consideration in organizing the events. The program is spread across various locations throughout the city. In the event of an air raid alert, events will be suspended, and venues with certified shelters are marked in the festival’s official program. Once the all-clear is given, events will resume.
In addition to literary events, BookForum will also host a fundraiser in support of the “Charter” brigade. Thus, this year’s festival combines books, culture, and support for Ukrainian defenders.
Why BookForum Is Important
BookForum has long been much more to Lviv than just a book fair. Once a year, the city effectively transforms into a vast space for discussions about literature, history, culture, and society. People come here for more than just books. People come to listen to their favorite authors, discover new names, meet publishers, and simply spend a few hours in an environment where reading is the main topic of conversation.
This is especially important this year. The Russian war is taking its toll not only on people and buildings but also on Ukrainian culture. The destruction of books, printing presses, and warehouses means the loss of what has been built up over the years. That’s why Andriy Sadovyi’s words—that books must be bought and read—have a simple meaning. A Ukrainian book lives on as long as it is read.
The 33rd BookForum will take place in Lviv from September 10 to 13. Over the four days of the festival, there will be hundreds of events, meetings with authors, discussions, a book fair, and an opportunity to support the Ukrainian book industry. This was announced by .
