The Malta Book Festival, the foremost celebration of literature and publishing in the country’s cultural calendar, is back this year with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
From today to Sunday, the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali will once again welcome thousands of visitors, more than 50 exhibitors and a vibrant mix of authors, publishers and readers.
Organised by the National Book Council, the 2025 edition embraces the theme ‘Writing Anew’ − a concept that captures the transformative spirit of storytelling. The festival invites audiences to rediscover how literature can reimagine reality, foster empathy and open new pathways of thought and emotion.
Among this year’s international participants, the Italian Cultural Institute of Valletta will once again bring a rich programme of literary encounters, family events and cross-cultural dialogue to the festival. Their participation reflects Italy’s enduring commitment to promoting language, literature and artistic exchange in Malta.
Visitors can find the IIC La Valletta at Stand 14, hosting a diverse selection of Italian publishers and cultural organisations that embody the many voices of contemporary Italian creativity. These include:
• inKnot Edizioni, a digital-native publishing house exploring new literary languages and media, connecting authors and readers through innovative storytelling.
•Samarcanda, a neighbourhood bookshop and cultural space that brings people together through literature, debate, and shared curiosity.
•Astarte Edizioni, an independent publishing house celebrating the Mediterranean as a crossroads of cultures, stories, and ideas, advocating for diversity and dialogue through literature.
• I Libri di Mompracem, a non-profit organisation from Florence dedicated to promoting books, culture, and conviviality as a tool for collective growth and wellbeing.
• Trotula (Talea Edizioni), an educational and transmedia enterprise founded in Salerno, creating inclusive and sustainable content for children inspired by the pioneering Trotula de Ruggiero, the first female Italian doctor.
At the stand, visitors will also have the opportunity to browse and purchase a wide range of books in Italian.
In addition to the stand, the Italian Institute of Culture will host two special events as part of the festival programme − one dedicated to the presentation of Lorenzo Cipriani’s new book, and another celebrating creativity and imagination for younger audiences.
The first event will take place on Friday at 7.30pm, at Is-Sala tal-Qarrejja within the MFCC. The evening will feature the presentation of the book Il mare sospeso by Lorenzo Cipriani, in collaboration with I Libri di Mompracem.
The book chronicles the extraordinary voyage of the sloop Milanto, a sailing journey along the trade winds that turns into a modern-day odyssey when the pandemic abruptly changes its course. Il mare sospeso is both an adventure narrative and a meditation on solitude, freedom, and resilience − a story that transforms the sea into a metaphor for introspection and rebirth. The event will be conducted in Italian and is open to the public.
The weekend will bring a touch of magic to the festival, as the institute presents a double event dedicated to young readers on Sunday, in collaboration with Trotula. Also taking place at Is-Sala tal-Qarrejja at 4.30 and 5.30pm, these activities are designed for children aged six to 11 and will be held in Italian.
The first event, Trotula e il Giardino Incantato, is a puppet show inspired by the enchanting world of Trotula, performed by actress Flavia D’Aiello. Through poetry and imagination, children are guided into a world of empathy, solidarity and wonder.
Following the performance, at 5.30pm, illustrator Federica Cafaro will lead a creative drawing workshop, teaching children how to bring Trotula and her magical world to life on paper. The workshop offers a hands-on opportunity for creativity, participation, and discovery − an afternoon where art, fantasy and universal values blend seamlessly.
Through these events, the Italian Cultural Institute continues to strengthen cultural ties between Malta and Italy, showcasing literature not only as an artistic expression but as a bridge between languages, generations and ideas.
Attendance to all events is free of charge. For more information about the Malta Book Festival, visit https://ktieb.org.mt/maltabookfestival/.
