BA Book — Festival of Books and Publishing
The book festival that transforms Busto Arsizio into an open-air library
About BA Book
A City That Becomes a Library
Every spring, BA Book transforms Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese, into a publishing capital. The Lombard city's book and publishing festival brings authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers together for a week in dozens of venues: from the municipal library to the squares in the center, from the Textile Museum to unusual places like the correctional facility, the former Hapsburg prisons, and the Volandia aviation museum.
More Than Just a Book Festival
Organized by the Municipality of Busto Arsizio together with the association Busto che Legge ETS and a Literature Table that brings together bookstores, publishing houses, associations, and cultural spaces, BA Book is not limited to book presentations. The program includes meetings with writers, masterclasses in design and editorial graphics, discussions on journalism and culture, itinerant theatrical performances, artist's book exhibitions, and a food and wine section. Most events are free admission.
Authors and Personalities
In its editions, the festival has hosted prominent figures in Italian culture — from Maurizio De Giovanni to Marco Missiroli, from Romana Petri to Riccardo Falcinelli, as well as journalists, essayists, and media personalities. A formula that has rapidly grown the event, making it one of the most followed literary appointments in the Alto Milanese and western Lombardy in just a few years.
An Event for the Whole City
The choice to spread events across dozens of locations, including those normally closed to the public, is the hallmark of BA Book: a way to let readers experience the city in a new way and to bring books closer to those who don't usually attend literary festivals.
BA Book — edition 2026
The VI edition of BA Book is held from May 17 to 24, 2026, transforming Busto Arsizio into 'an open-air library'. The festival is organized by the Municipality and the association Busto che Legge ETS along with the Literature Table. Events are spread across twelve venues, from the correctional facility to the Volandia museum, from the former Hapsburg prisons to Villa Ottolini Tosi, including Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and the municipal library. Most events are free admission, many require booking.
Programme BA Book 2026
Sunday, May 17 — Opening
- Itinerant theatrical performance 'VIVE', with alternative endings for famous female literary characters
- Meeting with Fulvia Sisti on the pioneers of Italian journalism
- Masterclass in design and editorial graphics with Riccardo Falcinelli
Monday, May 18
- Germano Lanzoni on humor in leadership
- Discussions on the economic value of culture, with Paola Dubini and Franco Broccardi
Tuesday, May 19
- Philosophical reflection on humanism and exhibition of artist's books
In the Following Days
- Meetings with authors including Maurizio De Giovanni, Andrea Pezzi, Alessandra Sarchi, Elliot Kingsley, and Paola Tonussi
- Presentations, workshops, and tours in the twelve festival venues
The detailed day-by-day program is published on the Busto Arsizio Municipality website.
Highlights BA Book 2026
Prices BA Book 2026
Practical information — BA Book
Where
Events take place in numerous venues in Busto Arsizio (VA): Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the municipal library (Sala Monaco), the Textile Museum, Villa Ottolini Tosi, the correctional facility, the former Hapsburg prisons, and other city spaces.
How to Get There
Busto Arsizio is served by FS and Ferrovie Nord stations and the A8 Milan-Varese highway; Malpensa Airport is a few kilometers away.
Reservations
Most events are free; many require booking on Eventbrite. Information: Municipal Library, tel. 0331 390381.
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Where does it take place — BA Book
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II e sedi cittadine
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 21052 Busto Arsizio