This yearโ€™s edition of the Malta Book Festival will be #bindingworlds, by bringing together an eclectic array of exhibitors running the gamut of literary styles and readership demographics at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), Taโ€™ Qali from November 6-10.

A record amount of space will be taken up by 40+ exhibitors, with custom stands bringing out the unique identity of local publishers who will contribute to the atmosphere of creativity and the joyous celebration of the book, which is the hallmark of the Festival โ€” a staple of the local cultural calendar and now celebrating its 45th year.

โ€œOur exhibitors are the lifeblood of the Malta Book Festival. Primarily made up of publishers and booksellers, they also comprise NGOs and international entities based on the island, providing the kind of rich cultural offering that the Festival is now renowned for,โ€ Malta Book Festival Director Simona Cassano said, adding that the human, in-person element of the Festival cannot be discounted.

โ€œThe ability to interact with so many different areas of the publishing world โ€” both local and international โ€” is the magic ingredient that makes the Festival such an enduring event that attracts over 50,000 people every year, from the youngest school pupils to seasoned readersโ€, Cassano added.

Exhibitors will also be organising events, both at their stands and across the various activity areas of the venue. The international dimension will be receiving a significant boost this year, with the welcome participation of entities such as the China Cultural Centre in Malta and the Embassy of Spain in Malta. Returning entities such as the Istituto Italiano di Cultura La Valletta and the German-Maltese Circle will also be present, with the French Embassy hosting for the first time the Alliance Franรงaise and the online bookshop Lireka. The Embassy of Ireland in Malta is also an important partner in this yearโ€™s edition of the Festival, owing to their support in helping bring over Booker Prize-winning Irish author Paul Lynch as a special guest.

The theme of #bindingworlds will extend further beyond the pages of books and their varied styles and genres, however. Thanks to collaborations with entities such as Arts Council Malta, along with Energy & Water Agency, Benna, the Water Services Corporation and Piscopo Gardens, the festival will offer both creative inspiration and avenues of social and environmental awareness.ย  Notably, the inclusion of Il-Kamra Sensorja (Sensory-Friendly Room) โ€” managed by Inspire Malta and supported by APS Bank โ€” will once again allow children on the spectrum to have access to storytelling activities in a safe and inclusive environment.

Find the full list of exhibitors here.

The Malta Book Festival will be taking place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Taโ€™ Qali from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November.

For the full programme, click here. For more information and to stay updated on the latest developments, visit ktieb.org.mt and the Malta Book Festival Facebook and Instagram page.


Share Article