Zafferana Etnea Book Festival

The Zafferana Etnea Book Festival

The Zafferana Etnea Book Festival is a benchmark cultural event in the Italian landscape, dedicated to promoting reading and literature for children and young adults. Every year, for an entire week, the village of Zafferana Etnea—nestled in the volcanic landscapes on the slopes of Mount Etna in the province of Catania—welcomes writers, illustrators, publishers, teachers, and thousands of young readers. The event is promoted and organized by the Calicanto Cultural Association, in collaboration with the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, local schools, the University of Catania, the Academy of Fine Arts of Catania, and Andersen magazine.

A major project on reading

Created to introduce children to the pleasure of reading, the Book Festival has grown to involve over 10,000 children and students, from preschool to high school, coming from Zafferana and the entire province of Catania. The heart of the event consists of meetings between authors and classes: writers and illustrators visit schools to engage with students, share their work, and spark curiosity about books.

Authors, illustrators, and exhibitions

The program brings together dozens of Italian and international authors and illustrators, including Andersen Award and Bologna Ragazzi Award winners, alongside numerous publishing houses specializing in children's literature. Alongside school meetings, the festival features illustration exhibitions, theatrical performances, creative workshops, readings, and training sessions for teachers and industry professionals. Among the most beloved events is the Night of Tales, an evening entirely dedicated to the art of oral storytelling.

Festival venues

Events animate the main cultural sites of the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea: the Town Hall, the F. Guglielmino Municipal Library, the Sant'Anna Auditorium, and the F. De Roberto Comprehensive Institute. Some events also extend to Catania, at the University and the Academy of Fine Arts, as well as the Teatro Eliseo in Santa Venerina.

An event for all of Sicily

Part of a broader reading promotion project supported by the Centre for Books and Reading, the Zafferana Etnea Book Festival has become a point of reference for schools, libraries, and families throughout Eastern Sicily. The natural setting of Mount Etna and the hospitality of the Zafferana village make this festival a unique cultural experience, capable of combining a passion for books with the charm of one of the island's most evocative territories.