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Independent publisher NERO launches alternative book fair in Rome

festival-fair · 2026-04-26

NERO, an independent publisher based in Italy, has announced the USCITA festival, happening from November 25 to 28, 2025. This event will be held in collaboration with twelve independent bookstores in Rome, including Antigone, Giufà, Griot, and more. Attendees can expect a range of activities like discussions, workshops, and performances. NERO aims to provide an alternative to the National Fair of Small and Medium Publishing (Più Libri Più Liberi), which is set for December 4 to 8, 2025. On Instagram, NERO criticized PLPL for its scheduling, mainstream focus, and the way it addressed the Leonardo Caffo controversy. The lineup for the 2025 PLPL event will be shared on November 17, 2025.

Key facts

  • NERO launches alternative festival USCITA from November 25 to 28, 2025
  • USCITA involves 12 independent bookstores in Rome
  • Più Libri Più Liberi (PLPL) runs December 4–8, 2025 at La Nuvola dell'Eur
  • PLPL theme for 2025 is 'Ragioni e sentimenti'
  • NERO criticized PLPL for pre-Christmas timing harming independent bookstores
  • NERO criticized PLPL's abandonment of independent roots for mainstream commercialism
  • 2024 PLPL edition controversy: curator Chiara Valerio invited Leonardo Caffo during his trial
  • Leonardo Caffo was sentenced to 4 years for aggravated mistreatment and serious injuries
  • PLPL 2025 program to be presented on November 17, 2025

Entities

Artists

  • Chiara Valerio
  • Leonardo Caffo

Institutions

  • NERO
  • Più Libri Più Liberi
  • La Nuvola dell'Eur
  • Antigone
  • Giufà
  • Griot
  • Il Giardino Incartato
  • Il Mattone
  • Leporello
  • Libreria Trastevere
  • Risma
  • Shell
  • Sinestetica
  • Tra le Righe
  • Tuba
  • Salone del Libro di Torino
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • La Nuvola dell'Eur

Sources