Guest of Honour 2028: Lithuania

Rūta Elijošaitytė-Kaikarė, Executive Director, Lithuanian Publishers Association, Frida Edman, Book Fair Director, Julija Reklaitė, Director, Lithuanian Culture Institute, Daina Urbanavičienė, Lithuanian Vice Minister of Culture. Photo: Natalie Greppi

Lithuania will be the Guest of Honour at the 2028 edition of the Fair. This marks the second time Lithuania has taken centre stage at the Nordic Region’s largest cultural event, following its previous role as the theme country in 2005. The letter of intent was signed at the 40th edition of Gothenburg Book Fair.

During the preparation years leading up to 2028, Lithuania will focus on building connections with Swedish literary organizations and publishers, establishing programs for translators, and promoting new translations from Lithuanian to Swedish. The goal is to introduce Lithuanian culture and history to Sweden, fostering publishing cooperation and inspiring a new generation of readers. Since both Vilnius and Gothenburg are UNESCO Cities of Literature, this collaboration opens up even more opportunities for creative exchange and co-creation.

Daina Urbanavičienė, Vice Minister of Culture of Lithuania, stated:

– Lithuania is proud to become the Guest of Honour at the 2028 Gothenburg Book Fair. We welcome the long-term partnership, which is now taking clear shape through to 2028, with even more active participation of Lithuanian authors and publishers starting in 2025, when we mark the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s first appearance in the spotlight at the Gothenburg Book Fair. Twenty years later, we are ready to elevate our cooperation with the Nordic publishing industry to new heights.

– The increasing Lithuanian presence from 2025, culminating in the grand celebration of 2028, will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the country’s vibrant literary and cultural landscape, highlighting both contemporary voices and historical perspectives. This type of long-term engagement is what truly makes a difference for the Guest of Honour, creating an unforgettable experience not only for the readers but for everyone involved, says Frida Edman, Book Fair Director.

The program will be developed in collaboration with the Lithuanian Cultural Institute and the Lithuanian Publishers Association.

Read the entire announcement here →