Pisa Book Festival
The showcase for independent Italian publishing, held at the Arsenali Repubblicani in Pisa
About Pisa Book Festival
The independent publishing showcase in Pisa
The Pisa Book Festival is one of Tuscany's most beloved literary events and a key appointment for independent Italian publishing. Established in 2003, every autumn it transforms the historic center of Pisa into a sprawling, city-wide book fair where small and medium-sized publishers—often missing from major retail chains—meet their readers face-to-face.
The heart of the festival is the Arsenali Repubblicani, an extraordinary medieval complex along the Arno river where the galleys of the Pisan Maritime Republic were once built. This serves as the hub for the publishers' exhibition and market, while author talks, workshops, seminars, readings, and history lectures take place in some of the city's most evocative venues, such as the Museum of Ancient Ships, the Torre Guelfa Fortification, and the Royal Palace Museum.
A national and international event
Over the years, the Pisa Book Festival has established itself as a national showcase for independent books, attracting passionate readers from across Tuscany and beyond to the capital of the Pisa province. Each edition features dozens of events spread over several days: presentations, debates, meetings with Italian and international authors, workshops for young people, and cultural deep-dives.
The Pisa Book Translation Awards
One of the most anticipated highlights is the Pisa Book Translation Awards, a prize dedicated to literary translation that celebrates the often-invisible work of translators and the role of independent publishers in bringing international voices to Italy. The award focuses on the quality of translation as a bridge between cultures, with finalists ranging from Chinese to Arabic, and Bulgarian to German.
The theme of sport
The 24th edition, taking place from October 2 to 4, 2026, focuses on sport: its values, its protagonists, its legends, and the human stories hidden behind every success. This cross-cutting theme will weave through meetings, presentations, and editorial offerings, confirming the festival's commitment to interpreting the present through the lens of books.
A festival for the whole city
Strolling through the stands at the Pisa Book Festival means discovering surprising catalogs, engaging with publishers who are passionate about their craft, and meeting authors in an informal and welcoming setting. It is a precious opportunity to explore the landscape of quality small-press publishing in one of Italy's most famous art cities, just a stone's throw from the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Pisa Book Festival — edition 2026
Pisa Book Festival 2026 — 24th Edition
The twenty-fourth edition of the Pisa Book Festival is held from October 2 to 4, 2026, at the Arsenali Repubblicani in Pisa, with events hosted in the halls of the Museum of Ancient Ships, the Torre Guelfa, and the Royal Palace. The theme chosen for this edition is sport, explored through its values, its myths, and the stories of its protagonists.
The successful formula of the festival remains unchanged: the independent publishing exhibition and market, meetings with Italian and international authors, workshops, seminars, and history lectures. The Pisa Book Translation Awards also return for their 6th edition, dedicated to the literary translation of titles published by independent publishing houses.
Programme Pisa Book Festival 2026
Structure of the 2026 edition
The festival spans three days, from October 2 to 4, 2026, featuring an independent publishers' market at the Arsenali Repubblicani and meetings in historic city center venues. The program includes:
- Exhibition and market of independent Italian publishing houses
- Meetings and dialogues with Italian and international authors
- Workshops, seminars, and readings
- History lectures with university professors
- Pisa Book Translation Awards ceremony (6th edition)
Pisa Book Translation Awards 2026 — The Finalists
The 2026 translation prize has selected ten finalist works, with winners announced in June 2026 and awarded during the festival. Titles in competition include:
- Città fantasma by Kevin Chen, trans. Silvia Pozzi (e/o) — from Chinese
- Il giardiniere e la morte by Georgi Gospodinov, trans. Giuseppe Dell'Agata (Voland) — from Bulgarian
- Hot Maroc by Yassin Adnan, trans. Antonino D'Esposito (Del Vecchio) — from Arabic
- L'impossibile ritorno by Amélie Nothomb, trans. Federica Di Lella (Voland) — from French
- Serpentine by Bov Bjerg, trans. Franco Filice (Keller) — from German
- Come l'Arabia Saudita ha comprato il calcio e il mondo by James Montague, trans. Lorenzo Vetta (66thand2nd) — from English
The detailed day-by-day program, including meeting times and the full list of guests, will be announced on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Pisa Book Festival 2026
- Edition theme: sport, its values, and its protagonists
- 6th edition of the Pisa Book Translation Awards with ten finalist works
- Independent publishing exhibition and market at the Arsenali Repubblicani
- Meetings, workshops, and history lectures in Pisa's historic venues
Prices Pisa Book Festival 2026
Practical information — Pisa Book Festival
Getting there
Pisa is easily accessible by train (Pisa Centrale station is connected to all major Italian cities) and by plane via the Galileo Galilei International Airport, located just minutes from the city center. By car, the recommended exit is Pisa Centro from the FI-PI-LI highway or the A12 motorway.
Venues
The festival takes place at the Arsenali Repubblicani (Lungarno Simonelli) and other historic venues in the city center: the Museum of Ancient Ships, the Torre Guelfa Fortification, and the Royal Palace Museum. All locations are within walking distance in the heart of the city.
Admission
Festival events are traditionally free to attend, subject to availability. We recommend checking the official website for any booking requirements and the updated program.
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Where does it take place — Pisa Book Festival
Arsenali Repubblicani
Lungarno Simonelli, 56126 Pisa