As part of the 2026–27 Year of Reading declared by ELIVIP, the organization is organizing and supporting a variety of events, discussions, and activities at this year’s Thessaloniki International Book Fair aimed at adults and children.

In the Professional Program, distinguished guests from Greece and abroad shed light on various aspects of reading culture, raise thought-provoking questions, address critical issues, and share experiences and best practices. The Children’s and Teen Program will feature exciting exhibitions, as well as workshops and activities for adults, children, and young people, in collaboration with some of the most distinguished organizations in Greece and abroad.

Professional Program

–Lisa Keil, Project Manager for Volunteering at Stiftung Lesen, an organization dedicated to promoting reading, and Miha Kovač, a professor at the University of Ljubljana, will present research, effective practices, and innovative approaches that encourage reading among various age groups and communities in Germany and Slovenia. Moderated by Panagiotis Kapos, Ph.D. in Communication, Media, and Culture, Vice President of ELIVIP.

–Elli Kalamara, publisher and general secretary of POEV, and Yannis Vatamidis, bookseller and member of the POEV Board of Directors, discuss issues related to book production, publishing, and distribution, with a particular focus on small publishers and booksellers. Topics such as tax policy, the lack of protection for professional premises, high energy costs, and the government’s stance toward books are addressed, as well as the obstacles that affect the reader’s relationship with books and reading. Moderated by Apostolos Lykesas, journalist for the Journalists’ Newspaper.

–Do very young children need books? What kinds of books are designed for infants and toddlers? How do we choose them? And how do we bring them to life? Maria Bouri, pediatrician; Sissy Tsiflidou, educator; and Ava Chalkiadaki, researcher of reading policies at Diavazontas Megalono, discuss how important it is for children to grow up with stories and books. Read by Goni Louka, actress and facilitator of reading activities.

-…Because children’s books are a serious matter! Vangelis Iliopoulos, president of the Greek Children’s Book Association (Greek IBBY), author, and educator; Panos Christodoulou, director of the Network for Children’s Rights; Vasiliki Nika, member of the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Athens (UoA), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, translator, Grigoris Abatzoglou, psychiatrist, child psychiatrist, emeritus professor of Child Psychiatry at the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Elena Pataki, publisher, discuss children’s access to quality literary books and their right to develop a multifaceted identity as readers with critical thinking skills, the ability to enjoy reading, and the freedom to choose texts that resonate with the emotional world of their age. As Mac Barnett notes, “If you don’t believe that children’s books are real books, then in a way you don’t believe that children are real people.”

–Picture books in children’s literature: Approaching them as a literary genre, an educational tool, and a means of aesthetic and emotional development, the speakers at this event will seek to highlight their value and role in the contemporary educational and reading experience. Participants include: Fotis Dousos, author, Ph.D. in Literature from the University of Crete, Elli Petala, educator, author, Ph.D. candidate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Theodora Katsifi, author, creative writing workshop facilitator, and Koula Panagou, educator, play therapist.

-At an event organized in collaboration with the EURead network, which promotes reading and literacy in Europe, successful reading promotion programs implemented by network members in Bulgaria (Valentina Stoeva, Reading Foundation), Sweden (Lovisa Fhager Logothetis, Bonnier Family Foundation), and Greece (Ava Chalkiadaki, Diavazontas Megalono). The event will be preceded by a brief presentation of EURead by its President, Valentina Stoeva.

-“From Ex Libris to Memory: How a Book Becomes Ours” An ex libris (Latin: “from the books”) is a small visual mark—usually a label or stamp—placed inside a book to indicate its owner. It is often artistic in nature and serves as a way for someone to “sign” their connection to their book. Angeliki Bozou, visual artist and illustrator; Eleni Tsaldiri, visual artist and author; and Lela Stroutsi, illustrator, author, and board member of the Greek Children’s Book Circle, explore how the book transforms from a simple object into a vessel of memory and personal identity, and discover ways in which readers of all ages can cultivate a more personal, experiential relationship with books. Moderated by Panagiota Strikou, author and creator of the podcast “Moms with Rum.”

Program for Children and Youth:

In the Children’s Corner of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair, the Network for Children’s Rights, with the support of ELIVIP, is setting up “D’s Memory Game,” a floor-based memory game through which children aged 6–9 will discover the works of 47 renowned illustrators and visual artists, inspired by the Rights of the Child. Each pair of cards corresponds to an article of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, providing an opportunity for discussion, reflection, and creative learning. Coordinated by: Koula Panagou, Head of Educational Programs, and Thanasis Kotsovos, Head of the Children’s Library.

At the Central Municipal Library (Children’s Section), the National Library of Greece, with the support of ELIVIP, is organizing a series of workshops for both children and adults:

–“Us and the World of Fairy Tales” – An experiential workshop for adults: Selected illustrated children’s books serve as the starting point for a creative journey that, by utilizing techniques from theatrical play, visual arts, and creative writing, fosters expression, inspiration, and the cultivation of imagination and creativity. Maximum number of participants: 25. No prior experience or artistic skills are required—just a willingness to play!

-“The Book That I Am”: Children ages 8 and up browse through books to explore the genre of “autobiography.” Then, using simple creative writing and visual arts techniques, they create their own book featuring significant moments from their own lives. The workshop combines theatrical play with creative writing and visual arts.

-“Who will solve the mystery?” Young and old detectives who have stepped right out of the books are pitted against each other in a test of skill and imagination, so that participating children ages 6 and up can create their own mystery story!

At the same time, throughout the duration of the Exhibition, National Library staff will inform the public about this year’s Summer Reading and Creativity Campaign, a nationwide initiative for the development and promotion of a love of reading, organized this year in collaboration with ELIVIP.

The “Diavazontas Megalono” organization, with the support of ELIVIP, has also organized two exciting activities for infants and toddlers at the Central Municipal Library (Children’s Section):

-“With Hide-and-Seek and Surprises”: Goni Louka, an actress and facilitator of reading activities, reads stories featuring heroes who are hiding and whom we discover in places we sometimes least expect, as well as books with moving parts that lead to the alteration, concealment, or revelation of the image. The number of spots is limited, and you must fill out a registration form at https://forms.gle/1aQ7SdaeQpF3HNBE6. Toddlers, 12-24 months.

-“When Numbers Are Fun!”: Goni Louka reads funny stories to children that are all about numbers and counting. Seating is limited, and you must fill out a registration form at  https://forms.gle/1qphGTQZFNhGftqw5 For kids 2-4 y.o.

At MOMus, the Greek Section of IBBY – Greek Children’s Book Circle, with the support of ELIVIP, is organizing two concurrent Ex Libris workshops:

-“From the last page of books to the forefront of art.” Eleni Tsaldiri, visual artist and writer, asks: How many books do you have in your library? How many of them are yours? How many would you like to stamp with your mark so no one can claim they’re theirs? We’ve found the way! Come create your own stamp with us. Come discover the magical microcosm of Ex Libris. You bring the imagination, we bring the technique, and we’ll print your very own Ex Libris. For children ages 8–12. Number of participants: up to 15 people (on a first-come, first-served basis).

-“Put Your Stamp on It: The Art of Ex Libris.” With Angeliki Bozou, visual artist and illustrator. Children use their imagination to transport themselves to an old library, where they discover old books and examine the Ex Libris stamps on them. Through this hands-on experience, they explore their visual elements and gather information about the identity of their owners. Each child designs their own stamp, inspired by their personality or their favorite stories and heroes, and uses it to stamp their books before lending them to their friends! For children ages 6–10. Number of participants: up to 12 people (on a first-come, first-served basis).

Also at MOMus, the Network for Children’s Rights, with the support of ELIVIP, is organizing a workshop for children ages 5–8 titled “What Brings Us Together?”: A little BeeBot bee sets off on a journey through the kitchens of the world! Together with the children, it discovers the flavors and stories hidden behind favorite recipes. Through play and exploration, children experience the flavors of different cultures and discover what unites us. With Koula Panagou, Head of Educational Programs, and Thanasis Kotsovos, Head of the Children’s Library.

Art Exhibitions – Special Exhibitions

ELIVIP, in collaboration with the Greek section of the IBBY – Greek Children’s Book Circle, has organized the major art exhibition “The Library of Heroes: Ex Libris from Fantasy Literature”:

What if our favorite literary heroes had their own library? What would their personal Ex Libris look like—the one they’d use to stamp their books? How would it be designed to express their personality, interests, and worldview? Greek illustrators draw inspiration from heroes of children’s, young adult, and classical literature to create artwork for imaginary Ex Libris stamps.

Participating illustrators and visual artists: Konstantina Archontaki, Stella Dimitrakopoulou, Emmanuela Kakavia, Natalia Kapatsoulia, Garifallia Lefteri, Eleni Leonida, Kostis Makris, Dimitra Papadimitriou, Aikaterini Poulia, Evangelia Simantiri, Daniela Stamatia, Fotini Stefanidi, Lela Stroutsi, Katerina Sotiropoulou, Maria Tzamboura, Eleni Tsaldiri, Marylia Fotiadou.

At the same time, a student exhibition will be held: Following an open call, students of various ages draw inspiration from their favorite heroes of children’s, young adult, and classical literature to create artwork for their own imaginary Ex Libris bookplates. Participating schools: 3rd Kindergarten of Thessaloniki, 26th Kindergarten of Thessaloniki, 1st Elementary School of Oreokastro, Mantoulidis Schools, Greek-French School of Kalamari.

Finally, ELIVIP, in collaboration with the Center for the Study and Dissemination of Myths and Fairy Tales, has prepared a special feature on the guest of honor, Bulgaria, titled “BGR – Letters That Unite. Bridges and Passages”:

This is an artistic and educational project based on the folk oral traditions of Bulgaria and Greece, which combines live storytelling with contemporary forms of audio media. Through storytelling, audio recordings, and the dissemination of content via podcasts, the project highlights the common ways in which stories travel from place to place and from generation to generation, serving as bridges of culture and memory between peoples.