Lucy Abel-Smith and Bronwyn Riley have commenced bookings for the 5th Transylvanian Book Festival to be helf in beautiful Richis in Transylvania over the period 12-15 September 2024. There is also an optional extension to visit the unique painted monasteries of Moldavia.

Lucy says of this year’s festival …

The theme of this year’s festival is Transylvania, Centre of Europe a celebration of the region’s rich and diverse history and its place at the heart of European culture. As ever we have a thrilling list of international speakers, journalists, academics, poets, musicians, cooks and historians.

The festival starts on Thursday evening with a party for friends and patrons at
Lucy Abel Smith’s restored Saxon village house in the medieval village of Richis. This will be the patrons’ hub during the next three delicious days of books, music, poetry, food, drink, discussion and excursions into the Transylvanian countryside.

Following our usual format, we will have talks and discussions each day, a series of picturesque lunches and dinners in historic settings; excursions to surrounding towns and villages, and music and film in the evenings, all included for our patrons in the programme.

History will be brought to life by Marc David Baer who will speak about the Ottomans in Europe. In the medieval church of Richis, Ciprian Firea will discuss the recent remarkable uncovering of a medieval painting in the chancel and the parish priest patrons of Renaissance Transylvania. Richard Bassett will give an eyewitness account of more recent history – the overthrow of Ceausescu which he reported on for The Times. Delicious local cooking is always an important part of the festival and food writer Irina Georgescu will whet our appetites with her talk and cookery demonstration.

Monastery of Voronets

After the festival Bronwen Riley is taking a small group up to Michael de Styrcea’s beautifully restored manor house, Valeni, which will be our luxurious base for gentle walks and visits to the painted monasteries 16-20 September.

Find out more and how to book on the Transylvanian Book Festival website or call Lucy to discuss on 01285 750358. Meanwhile enjoy this short video of the 2013 festival.