29th Kraków International Book Fair: John Irving and an Adaptations Zone

The Kraków International Book Fair, one of the biggest reading events in Poland, will be held for the 29th time this year. The organisers are inviting visitors to the EXPO Kraków International Fair and Congress Centre from 22 to 25 October 2026. The theme of this year's edition is "Attention: the other person".

The scale of the event

According to an announcement quoted by Polish Radio, more than 1,000 authors representing most literary genres and around 500 exhibitors will take part in the fair. Roughly 1,200 events are planned in the programme: author meetings, conversations and launches.

Guests

The best-known foreign name is the American writer and screenwriter John Irving. He is the author of novels such as "The World According to Garp", "The Hotel New Hampshire", "The Cider House Rules" and "A Prayer for Owen Meany". He won an Oscar for his screenplay adapted for the film "The Cider House Rules". Other announced guests include Yann Martel and Polish authors Olga Tokarczuk, Szczepan Twardoch and Jakub Żulczyk.

New: the adaptations zone

For the first time, the fair will feature an adaptations zone, intended to connect the publishing and film industries. The organisers want to show how books make their way onto the screen.

How to approach the fair

With so many stands and events, it is hard to see everything. In its article "What is worth hunting for at the 29th Kraków Book Fair?", Gazeta.pl advises that instead of browsing catalogues endlessly, you should pick a few reading trails of your own and plan your visit around them.

For Poles in the UK

The fair is an in-person event in Kraków. For those who will be in Poland on these days, it may be an opportunity to buy books in Polish. It is worth checking the detailed programme, opening hours and ticket prices on the organiser's website.