Etnabook – International Book and Culture Festival

Etnabook, culture under the volcano

Etnabook – International Book and Culture Festival is one of the most vibrant literary events in Eastern Sicily. Established in 2019, it transforms Catania into a grand open-air library every year. For five days, the city and several surrounding municipalities are filled with book presentations, author meetings, debates, workshops, and award ceremonies. The heart of the festival is the Palazzo della Cultura in the city's historic center, though events spread throughout the entire Etna region.

A festival spanning Catania and the Etnean towns

Etnabook has made territorial diffusion one of its hallmarks. Beyond the Palazzo della Cultura in Catania, recent editions have involved towns such as Gravina di Catania, Pedara, Sant'Agata Li Battiati, and Paternò, with a calendar that brings books and writers directly to the public, outside traditional venues. This widespread approach makes the festival a true community event for the entire Catania metropolitan area, in the heart of Sicily.

The "Culture under the Volcano" Literary Prize

The soul of the festival is the "Etnabook – Culture under the Volcano" Literary Prize, divided into three categories: poetry, fiction/non-fiction, and "A book in a page". Every year, the competition receives hundreds of entries from across Italy, with award ceremonies serving as some of the most anticipated moments of the program.

EtnaKids, EtnaBook Lab, and BookCrossing

• EtnaKids: the section dedicated to children, featuring readings and workshops designed for younger readers, curated by Claudia Santonocito.
• EtnaBook Lab: workshops, labs, and in-depth sessions for those wanting to test their skills in writing and book culture.
• BookCrossing: free book-exchange stations distributed throughout the city to promote reading all year round.
• Waiting for Etnabook: preparatory events that accompany the public in the months leading up to the festival.

A free event in the Catanese September

Etnabook takes place every year in September and is distinguished by free admission to all meetings, a choice that makes it a truly popular event open to everyone. Promoted by the No_Name Cultural Association, with the support of the Municipality of Catania, the festival is now a reference point for the cultural landscape of the Province of Catania and all of Sicily.