Arrangements for the Transylvanian Book Festival are proceeding apace. This will be a truly wonderful event and I want to encourage as many of you as possible to come along during 5-9 September. Look at it as a holiday in itself, spending five days in the most beautiful setting, a region lost to time, that reflects the history, culture, and architecture of one of the last untouched Medieval landscapes in Europe. A chance to talk to the authors and like-minded folk in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
The line-up of authors is growing all the time. More details can be found on the website here.
The following have confirmed:
- Artemis Cooper: An Adventure, the biography of Paddy Leigh Fermor
- Professor Roy Foster: Bram Stoker, Ireland and Dracula
- Jessica Douglas Home: Once Upon Another Time
- William Blacker: Along the Enchanted Way
- Michael Jacobs: Robber of Memories but will talk on Starkie or von Rezzori
- Caroline Juler: Author of the Blue Guide to Romania
- Jaap Scholten: Comrade Baron
- Nick Hunt: After the Woods and the Water
- Andrea Rost: on the biography of Hans Schaas
- Sarah Dootz: Her autobiography
- Countess Elizabeth Jelen Salnikoff: talking about her grandfather Miklos Banffy
- Others to follow
You can make a reservation and book online here.
Unlike other book festivals this will be a relatively small and intimate affair. The authors will be living in the same villages and mixing with all those attending in a relaxed atmosphere. All food is included and we can expect some magnificent meals and picnics under the warm Transylvanian sun, with just the sounds of horse drawn carts, cows going to and from the fields, geese and ducks filing along the dusty roads, and our own animated conversation in English, Romanian, German and Hungarian as we reflect on the day’s events.
In addition there will be excursions included into the woods and countryside surrounding Richis so we can all get close to the land which is one of Prince Charles’ favourite spots. There is a lot included for the money which does not happen at other similar festivals.
If you want to know more please get in touch with me. I am happy to advise on travel options, flights into the country, car hire, and possible extensions to your visit so that you can visit some of Romania’s other wonders, many of which are just 1-2 hours away from Richis. There are already plans for extensions to turn your visit into a longer stay if you wish.
Romania is a very safe country for travellers with a good infrastructure. If you hear things from others that put you off, like the state of the roads, or are deterred by its very mysteriousness, please be assured that none of this is remotely true, nor should it be a barrier to you having a great time.
Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page. I am looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. Perhaps this medley of images may tempt you to come along by making your booking here 🙂 Some of these you may have seen before; many others are new. I promise!
Patrick Leigh Fermor 