Tempo di libri, the publishing fair “stolen” from Turin, opens in Milan on 19 April. Hundreds of events to promote reading and bring together book lovers, writers and publishers.
More than 700 events, 2,000 authors: from 19 to 23 April in Milan, the appointment is with Tempo di libri, the first edition of the Italian publishing fair. After the controversy — sparked by the "theft" at the expense of Turin's Salone del libro — Milan is preparing to become the capital of the Italian publishing landscape. Five days eagerly awaited by many: by industry professionals, authors and readers who finally have the chance to meet and talk with writers.
The great novelty, beyond the venue — scheduled at Rho Fiera — is certainly the theme, the idea underpinning the entire event: the alphabet, because yes, everything starts with the letters that form words, which become sentences, then stories, and finally books. Each letter thus corresponds to a theme and a series of events at the first Italian publishing fair in Milan. From A for avventura (adventure) to Z for Zaha Hadid, Tempo di libri becomes a journey through every literary genre and its protagonists.
There are many unmissable figures and topics of interest; we highlight just a few here, but the real joy lies in finding your own letter or in wandering from one to another.
Under D for dissidente (dissident), one of the most eagerly awaited authors is certainly Roberto Saviano, who will discuss the Italian landscape alongside Marco Damilano and Marino Sinibaldi. On 19 April at 12:30.
Under F for fumetto (comics), a highlight will certainly be the event with Zerocalcare, on 22 April at 14:30.
Our favourite letter is perhaps G for grantour, because it offers a series of events dedicated to travel and in particular to green travel and alternative means of transport: by train, bicycle and on foot. This section is well worth exploring, with discussions about abandoned and rediscovered railways, the Camino de Santiago, and travel novels as accounts of unusual itineraries.
O for occhi (eyes) is a curious section encompassing different themes, one of which is photography and the way of looking at the world through this wonderful art. Not to be missed here is the event dedicated to the 70 years of Magnum, the celebrated photography agency.
V stands for voce (voice), and during the fair it means the opportunity for visitors to listen to novels from the Milanese tradition read aloud by actors from the city's Piccolo Teatro. An ancient storytelling ritual that here becomes thoroughly contemporary.
Leggi anche: Milano, eBook gratis sui mezzi pubblici
Milan, which from this year hosts the country's most prestigious publishing fair, has long been preparing for these five days of events and has drawn up a very rich programme that will see books take centre stage not only in the spaces of Rho Fiera but in many locations across the city.
It is called Fuori tempo di libri: readings aloud, literary cocktails, games, evening openings of libraries and bookshops, musical performances and reading marathons. A packed calendar involving every kind of reader — and here too we have picked our must-sees:
Tempo di Libri takes place in Milan at the Fiera Milano–Rho exhibition centre and occupies halls 2 and 4. From Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 April, 10:00 to 19:30. From 19:30 onwards the fair moves into the city with Fuori Tempo di Libri. Tickets cost 10 euros; for all concessions consult this page of the website.