Torino Book Fair Goes National After AIE Split

The Salone del Libro di Torino is undergoing a transformation to become a national event after the Italian Publishers Association (AIE) abandoned it for a new fair in Milan. On August 23, 2016, the steering committee of the Fondazione per il Libro, la Musica e la Cultura, which organizes the fair, met with Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino, Piedmont Region President Sergio Chiamparino, and culture councilors Francesca Leon and Antonella Parigi. They discussed changes to the foundation's statute to reflect a national scope, including the creation of an Advisory Board to promote reading across Italy. New members will join the board: Mibact (Ministry of Cultural Heritage), Miur (Ministry of Education), Intesa Sanpaolo, and publishers willing to help organize the new fair. Massimo Bray's presidency remains uncertain; he stated on August 6 that he would give a definitive answer around September 20. The next shareholders' meeting in early September, with Ministers Dario Franceschini and Stefania Giannini present, will approve these changes.