Firenze Libro Aperto: New Book Fair at Fortezza da Basso

From February 17 to 19, 2017, the Fortezza da Basso in Florence will host Firenze Libro Aperto, a new book fair organized by Paolo Cammilli through Fbs Eventi. Unlike the Torino-Milano dispute over a new Salone del Libro, this event emphasizes grassroots participation and dialogue between small and large publishers. The fair will feature meetings with famous figures, including pulp writer Joe R. Lansdale, as well as emerging authors, sociologists, publishers, self-publishers, book-trailer creators, videomakers, illustrators, cartoonists, journalists, booksellers, printers, and distributors. Evening events after 8 PM will include a literary happy hour with readings, concerts, and performances. The guiding theme is "Le parole non bastano più?" (Words Are No Longer Enough?), reflecting on the renewed function of publishing and books, which often fail to influence readers' education and knowledge, becoming tools for escapism as seen in the success of fantasy and romance novels. Tommaso Sacchi of the Comune di Firenze highlighted the need for such an initiative to create a meeting point between the public and the contemporary publishing industry.