Ewelina Oksiuta has been named director of the European and International Booksellers Federation, effective May 4. She succeeds Julie Belgrado, who announced last October that she was stepping down after a decade at EIBF to become CEO of the Federation of European Screen Directors.
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| Ewelina Oksiuta | |
Oksiuta has been secretary general of the European Historic Houses (EHH) association, where she started working in 2020. She has a master's degree in European Studies from the Free University of Brussels and has a strong background in cultural heritage, project management, and international cooperation. Before joining EHH, she coordinated the members' network and projects of an association dedicated to Second World War remembrance tourism. She also gained experience in communications and public relations while working at the Polish Embassy and the Polish Tourism Organisation in Brussels.
EIBF president Fabian Paagman, owner of Paagman bookshops in the Netherlands, said, "We are truly delighted to welcome Ewelina Oksiuta as the new director of EIBF. Ewelina brings a unique blend of visionary leadership, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the European cultural ecosystem. Her passion for empowering booksellers, combined with her innovative spirit and collaborative approach, makes her an outstanding addition to our organisation. We are eager to embark on this exciting journey together and to support her in championing the vital role of booksellers in shaping the future of the book industry in Europe and beyond."
Oksiuta said, "I am truly delighted to join EIBF as its new director and to become part of a community that shares a deep passion for books and reading. Supporting booksellers, strengthening cultural life, and ensuring that books and bookshops continue to thrive in our cities and communities, and that their voice is heard at the EU level, is a mission I embrace with great enthusiasm. I am so grateful to the EIBF president and the entire executive committee for placing their trust in me, and I cannot wait to get to work together."