First International Comic Book Library Opens in Naples' Spanish Quarters

A new library dedicated exclusively to comics has opened in the Spanish Quarters of Naples, Italy. The Biblioteca Internazionale del Fumetto, housed within the FOQUS – Fondazione Quartieri Spagnoli at the former Istituto Montecalvario (a 10,000-square-meter complex dating to 1560), is the first of its kind in Europe. Its initial collection of about two hundred titles includes Italian, French, Spanish, English, Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese manga volumes, acquired through donation campaigns and available for free reading on-site. The library also plans workshops, reading events, and meetings with artists and professionals. Rachele Furfaro, president of the foundation, stated the goal is to provide young people an opportunity to discover comics, which can develop reading skills, imagination, and cross-cultural understanding. FOQUS was launched in 2013 to transform the former institute into a cultural hub, now also hosting the Accademia di Belle Arti (Communication Design and Fashion Design courses), the Instituto Cervantes, preschools, and public debate spaces.