THE INSTITUTE launches the first edition of Bucharest Design Festival (BDF), an extensive project dedicated to exploring the relationship between design, the city, and its communities, transforming Bucharest into an active creative platform for an entire month, from May 20 to June 21, 2026. Conceived as an ecosystem of exhibitions, installations, urban interventions, and curated spaces, the festival connects emerging generations of creatives with established professionals, while bringing design closer to the general public across more than 100 venues throughout the city.

The inaugural edition, held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, marks an institutional recognition of the role of design in shaping contemporary cultural identity and strengthening Romania’s international presence. The festival brings together THE INSTITUTE’s established initiatives—Romanian Design Week, DIPLOMA Show, and Cartierul Creativ—alongside new formats that explore the intersections between creativity and urban life.

The official opening takes place on May 20 at the National Cotroceni Museum, with the exhibition “BDF Highlights: Branding Romania Through Creativity,” showcasing creators and projects that have contributed to the international visibility of Romanian design. The choice of this symbolic venue underscores the festival’s ambition to anchor contemporary design within the national cultural heritage and to position it as a strategic resource for Romania’s development and image.

Under the theme “Made of Bucharest, Connected by Design,” Bucharest Design Festival offers a snapshot of the city’s creative energy while fostering dialogue between communities, disciplines, and diverse audiences—shaping a new landmark in Bucharest’s cultural landscape.