6-9 Dec. Every year in Italy over 50,000 books are published. Of these, 25 per cent are published by small or medium publishing houses, and many of these books encounter great obstacles in finding their way to the bookshelves of commercial bookshops.

That is basically why this national book fair, at its 11th edition, exists. The event offers a literary programme of conferences, performances and presentations with readings, theatre workshops, lectures and of course, book stalls.

Backed by regional and state bodies including the ministry for culture and heritage, the book fair has become an important date on Italy's literary calendar and attracts large crowds looking for Christmas gifts.