The 38th edition of the Turin International Book Fair, the most anticipated cultural event of the year for book lovers, opens today at Lingotto Fiere in Turin. Until May 18, over 2.700 events, 1.250 publishers, 500 stands, and 147.000 square meters of exhibition space will transform the city into the world capital of literature.
The theme chosen by director Annalena Benini is "The World Saved by Kids," a title borrowed from a 1968 work by Elsa Morante. A poetic manifesto that focuses on young people and their ability to imagine a new future—also embodied in the poster designed by illustrator Gabriella Giandelli.
The official opening today will be given by British writer Zadie Smith with the lecture "Everything Was Extreme. And It Still Is." Alessandro Baricco will close the first day with his "Notte Eretica" with the Canova Orchestra.
The Italian cast is impressive: Alessandro Barbero (whose meetings are already sold out), Niccolò Ammaniti, Paolo Cognetti, Dacia Maraini, Bianca Pitzorno, Paola Cortellesi, Marco Bellocchio, Luciana Littizzetto, Fiorello, and Alberto Angela. International guests include Nobel Prize winner László Krasznahorkai, Emmanuel Carrère, David Grossman, Kiran Desai, and Bernie Sanders, who will present his new book.
This year, Greece is the guest country and Umbria is the guest region, with a program dedicated to the Oval Pavilion. And the Salone extends beyond its borders: with Salone OFF, now in its 22nd edition, events reach 39 municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Rome, 14 municipalities in Piedmont, and—for the first time—Genoa.
Five days in which Turin becomes the beating heart of an Italy that, through its books, continues to speak to the world.
