Siracusa Book Festival

A festival for Sicilian culture and tourism

The Siracusa Book Festival was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Damiano Gallo, who is deeply connected to his hometown, with the goal of refocusing attention on two sectors hit hard by the pandemic: culture and tourism. In just a few years, the festival has become one of the most popular literary events in the region, attracting writers, journalists, and well-known national figures to the heart of Syracuse, in the province of Syracuse, in southeastern Sicily.

The Alessandra Appiano Prize

The beating heart of the event is the Alessandra Appiano Literary Prize, an award Damiano Gallo has organized since 2017 in honor of his late friend, the writer and journalist. Over the years, the prize has been awarded to prominent Italian authors: in 2022 to Maria Pia Ammirati and, in the 2025 edition, to journalist and writer Lorenzo Tosa. The jury has brought together prestigious figures from the worlds of journalism and literature over the years.

Historic venues and a tour of Sicily

One of the festival's distinctive features is its choice of stunning settings. The first editions were held at the Castello Maniace on the island of Ortigia, while in recent years the festival has expanded into a true traveling tour of Sicily. The 2025 edition visited the Municipal Library of Piazza Armerina, the baroque Palazzo Nicolaci in Noto, and the Teatro Comunale of Syracuse, which hosted the final stage.

Guests and themes

The Siracusa Book Festival alternates book presentations, author dialogues, and round-table discussions on current affairs, ranging from sustainability to renewable energy. Guests who have participated over the various editions include prominent names from journalism, literature, television, and entertainment, welcomed by a large audience and a format that blends culture, conviviality, and the promotion of the local area.

Patronage and identity

Over the years, the event has enjoyed the patronage of the European Parliament, the Sicilian Region, and the host municipalities. More than just a book festival, the Siracusa Book Festival serves as an opportunity to promote the image of Sicily and its extraordinary historical, artistic, and landscape heritage, using reading as a vehicle for cultural tourism.