Liberi sulla Carta – Literary Festival and Independent Publishing Fair

Liberi sulla Carta, the independent publishing festival in North Rome

Liberi sulla Carta is the literary festival and independent publishing fair held annually in the Municipality of Rome, within the Borghetto San Carlo, a complex of historic farmhouses overlooking Via Cassia 1420, in the Giustiniana area, within Municipality XV. After thirteen editions between Sabina and Rieti, and over fifteen years of history, the event arrived in the Capital for the first time in 2025, bringing its vision of free, accessible, and independent culture to the Lazio region.

A fair dedicated to small publishers

At the heart of the event are the stands of independent publishing houses, entities often far from large commercial circuits that find here a space for visibility and direct contact with readers. Surrounding the book stalls is a dense program of presentations, readings, performances, writing workshops, exhibitions, and meetings, weaving together fiction, poetry, journalism, visual arts, and civic engagement.

Three days of culture with free admission

For three days, Borghetto San Carlo transforms into a literary village immersed in the green Roman countryside, among writers, journalists, artists, and cultural operators. The festival also gives ample space to children, with an area entirely dedicated to kids featuring readings and workshops, and ensures accessibility with events translated into Italian Sign Language (LIS). All events are free to attend, subject to availability.

• Book presentations and meetings with authors
• Evening shows, readings, and musical moments
• Creative writing workshops and masterclasses
• Photography exhibition and installations
• Premio Arthè, short story competition
• Children's area with readings and workshops

A local event

Organized by the Associazione Liberi sulla Carta under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Moscato, the fair is supported by Roma Capitale as part of the Estate Romana and the Roma Creativa grants, and has quickly taken root in the cultural fabric of Municipality XV and the entire Lazio Region. Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread for the meetings, inviting the public to reflect on the relationship between books, community, and territory.