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The Sit+Read Artbook Fair 2024 was a truly unforgettable event, packed with creativity, camaraderie, and cultural exchange. Held between October 25–27 at the Indecis Artist Run Space, nestled within Timișoara’s historic Bastion, this year’s fair brought together over 40 participants from around the globe. Artists and collectives hailing from Romania, Japan, Germany, Serbia, Greece, Hungary, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, and Poland gathered to share and showcase their works—artist books, zines, comics, illustrations, prints, ceramics, and more. Together, they created an inspiring environment that encouraged innovation, connection, and appreciation of independent art.

After a whirlwind year as the European Capital of Culture, Timișoara faced the challenge of living up to the momentum generated in 2023. This year’s fair proved once again that Sit+Read is a resilient platform capable of adapting and responding to shifting creative landscapes. With the move to Indecis Artist Run—a fittingly named venue for this collaborative and somewhat “indecisive” year—the fair found its new home in a historic city wall gallery, central and open to the community. This new location enabled us to deepen our connection with Timișoara’s residents and to situate the fair at the literal heart of the city’s art scene.

The 2024 edition was particularly special due to our ongoing collaboration with Japanese artists, who infused the event with fresh perspectives and deepened the fair’s artistic diversity. This partnership has been transformative, allowing us to engage with Japanese art’s unique blend of fantasy, innocence, sensuality, and intensity. The collaboration aimed to explore how Japanese illustration and book arts could expand the horizons of local and international artists alike.

A highlight of this collaboration was British-Japanese artist Euphemia Franklin, marking her international debut at Sit+Read Artbook Fair. Known for her distinct illustrations that explore themes of anxiety and inner turmoil with a touch of humor and beauty, Euphemia was an engaging presence. Her background—ranging from collaborations with the Victoria and Albert Museum to writing on Japanese art history—brought valuable insight to her talk, which explored the complexities of balancing a full-time job with a creative freelance career. In her talk, Euphemia spoke openly about finding humor in struggles, an approach that resonated deeply with other exhibitors. Her honesty sparked further discussions with other artists about how they navigate the pressures of maintaining a creative practice without succumbing to burnout. For many, her session became a highlight, as she encouraged others to keep their creative pursuits “FUN rather than FUNdamentally stressful.”

Saturday night was a celebration in itself. The after-hours social event gave everyone a chance to let go of formalities and immerse themselves in meaningful discussions, forming connections that extended beyond their artistic practices. It was a space for organic exchange and bonding, where artists and visitors alike could share stories, ideas, and dreams. It was also the perfect setting for a reunion with Hiroko Hacci, a longtime friend of our association whom we met in the early days of our EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee collaboration. Hiroko, a musician on the rise, recently released her latest album, La Notte, with her band Tamburi Neri. Her performance brought a magical close to the evening, adding a layer of joy and nostalgia to the event. This collaboration with Hiroko highlighted the beautiful intersections of music and visual art, reminding us of the various forms independent art can take.

Reflecting on this year’s fair, we see the potential to grow and refine our partnership with Japanese artists in upcoming editions. Our program showcased how Japanese artists’ influences can inspire new practices, collaborations, and projects among our local and international participants. Looking ahead, we aim to continue building this connection, potentially incorporating more interactive workshops and residencies that allow artists from Romania and Japan to work side by side on projects that highlight their respective artistic traditions.

The Sit+Read Artbook Fair remains an annual celebration of independent publishing and creative community-building, a space where artists, publishers, and art lovers can interact openly and honestly. Each year, we are reminded of the power of art to bring people together, to bridge cultural divides, and to open minds to new ideas. The fair’s growth and evolution, especially through our collaboration with Japanese artists, reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant environment where independent art and publishing can thrive.

As we look forward to the 2024 edition, we are excited to see how the collaboration with Japanese artists continues to evolve. We envision a future where these cross-cultural exchanges inspire new projects and help expand the art book medium in ways we haven’t yet imagined. This year’s Sit+Read Artbook Fair was more than just an event—it was a journey through creativity, independence, and unity. And as always, we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.