Illustramente – Illustration and Children's Literature Festival

A festival dedicated to stories and images for young readers

Illustramente is the festival of illustration and literature for children and teenagers that transforms Palermo, in the heart of the Province of Palermo and Sicily, into a vast, widespread reading laboratory every year. Founded in 2013, the festival reached its thirteenth edition in 2026 and has established itself as one of the most significant events in Southern Italy dedicated to illustrated books and storytelling for children and young people.

A network of libraries, schools, and city landmarks

The festival is not confined to a single venue but spreads across the decentralized libraries of the Municipality of Palermo and numerous city spaces, most notably the Villa Trabia Municipal Library, nestled within its namesake park. Exhibitions, meetings, and workshops also take place at the Giuseppe Pitrè Sicilian Ethnographic Museum, the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa, and other neighborhood libraries, from Pallavicino to Borgo Nuovo. The event also extends to various municipalities across Sicily, from Trapani to Gibellina, and even to towns in the Nebrodi mountains such as Tortorici, Acquedolci, and Mirto.

The Open Library project and Educational Reading Hubs

Illustramente is promoted under the Open Library – Educational Reading Hubs project, which turns libraries into true educational outposts in collaboration with local schools. Throughout the year, participating libraries offer read-aloud sessions, programs for school groups, and initiatives that turn books into a map for understanding the present and developing civic awareness.

Exhibitions, authors, and workshops

The festival program weaves together various forms of expression:

• International illustrated book exhibitions, often hosted at Villa Trabia and city libraries;
• Meetings with Italian and international authors and illustrators;
• Animated readings and storytelling, including tales from the Sicilian tradition of Giuseppe Pitrè;
• Creative workshops for children, teenagers, and families;
• Illustration competitions aimed at emerging artists.

A journey through cultures

Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread for the events. In recent years, the festival has explored the figure of Giufà, a popular Mediterranean folk character, and in 2026, it developed the theme of travel: "The Journey. Across seas, lands, air, and books." Under the artistic direction of Rosanna Maranto, Illustramente confirms its commitment to making reading a tool for inclusion, discovery, and growth for new generations. Most events are free of charge.