Catania Book Festival

A book celebration in the heart of Catania

The Catania Book Festival is an international book and culture fair that brings the historic center of the Etnean capital to life. The event takes place within the monumental Palazzo della Cultura on Via Vittorio Emanuele II, transforming the heart of Catania for three days into a vibrant crossroads for readers, writers, publishers, and artists. Conceived and directed by Simone Dei Pieri, the festival has grown with each edition to become one of the most significant literary events in Southern Italy.

A rich and multidisciplinary program

Each edition features an extensive program with over 300 guests from Italy and abroad, and more than 100 sessions ranging from book presentations and literary workshops to panels and debates. Alongside Italian and international fiction, the festival highlights poetry (to which it dedicates one of the largest sections in Italy), non-fiction, current affairs, civil rights, and new forms of expression.

• Presentations with nationally renowned authors
• Extensive section dedicated to poetry and poetry slams
• Creative workshops for children, teenagers, and schools
• Stands from independent publishing houses
• Photography and art exhibitions within the Palazzo

The halls of the Palazzo della Cultura

Events are distributed across the various spaces of the Palazzo della Cultura: the auditorium, the Sala della Notte, the Sala Sant'Agata, the Sala del Parlatoio, workshop areas, and the evocative Corte Mariella Lo Giudice. This layout allows attendees to follow multiple events simultaneously and experience the festival as a continuous journey through literature, art, and dialogue.

A deeply rooted local event

The Catania Book Festival is more than just a publishing showcase; it is a cultural project that engages with the city and the Province of Catania in Sicily. Recurring initiatives include projects aimed at peripheral neighborhoods to combat educational poverty, collaborations with the Academy of Fine Arts and local schools, and a strong focus on new generations and the under-35 audience. In recent years, the event has attracted approximately 13,000 visitors, confirming its status as a highly anticipated appointment for the entire Etnean community.

Why attend

Visitors to Catania during the festival will find a program that is either free or affordably priced, set within one of the most beautiful palaces in the city's Baroque center. Between presentations, it is easy to get swept up in the lively atmosphere of the city, its cuisine, and the view of Mount Etna dominating the horizon.