Oblivion – Book, Comic and Irrational Fair

Oblivion, the fair of the imaginary in the heart of Rome

Oblivion – Book, Comic and Irrational Fair is an event dedicated to genre publishing held annually in Rome, Lazio, within the spaces of the Città dell'Altra Economia in the historic Testaccio district. Born in 2025 from the passion of the independent collective of the same name, the fair is dedicated to the worlds of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and weird fiction, bringing together readers, authors, illustrators, publishers, and industry professionals in one place.

Grassroots genre publishing

The heart of the event is independent publishing: the fair hosts dozens of publishing houses presenting catalogs dedicated to speculative literature, comics, graphic novels, and the fantastic imaginary. Oblivion champions a participatory and community-oriented approach, far from the purely commercial logic of large trade shows: a space where the culture of imagination is built from the ground up, among small publishers, debut authors, and self-published projects.

Fair areas

• Publisher Area: stands of independent publishing houses, the exhibition core of the event.
• Newborn Area: a space reserved for debut authors, young publishers, self-productions, and emerging projects.
• Gaming Area: dedicated to board games, demos, and gaming sessions.
• Panel Area: the dense calendar of meetings, round tables, and debates that accompany the two days.

Meetings, panels, and the Oblivion Award

Throughout the weekend, there is a continuous rotation of panels, book presentations, and discussions with authors, covering topics ranging from the latest trends in horror, sci-fi, and weird fiction to major contemporary themes like inclusion and ecology. The competitive heart of the event is the Oblivion Award, a literary contest rewarding unpublished short stories and novels: winners receive a direct consultation with the fair's publishers and a commemorative plaque.

Testaccio, between Rome and the imagination

The fair is set in the Città dell'Altra Economia, a cultural space owned by the Municipality of Rome, housed in the former slaughterhouse pavilions of Testaccio—now a symbol of the capital's solidarity economy and independent culture. Just a short walk from the Piramide Metro B station and the Roma Ostiense and Roma Trastevere railway stations, Oblivion offers a weekend of books, comics, games, and imagination with free admission, establishing itself as a key reference point for fans of the fantastic in the Lazio region and nationwide.