In the general climate of scepticism and concern that has prevailed in recent years about the future of books in our country and internationally, the Thessaloniki International Book Fair was an occasion for optimism.

In the beautiful setting of the Thessaloniki International Fair, publishing houses from all over Greece presented their latest and oldest publications in a celebration of books and reading.

During the almost four days of the Fair, thousands of people visited the stands to browse through books, attend presentations, discussions and meet authors.

Of course, children’s books had a special place in the exhibition. The visit of hundreds of children either with their families or with their schools was promising. There were dozens of events, musical and theatrical activities, readings, etc. aimed at the children’s audience.

Among the events that were hosted during the days of the Exhibition, there were also those concerning the application of modern technology and the present and future of publishing activity. The main theme of this year’s exhibition was Human Creativity and Artificial Intelligence, hosting a variety of views from the perspective of authors, book professionals, academics, experts, both from Greece and abroad, as well as readers in a landscape that is constantly evolving at high speed. Digital literacy, young people and the internet, education, women and feminism, aspects of literature, research, migration, all forms of violence, war, translation issues, young emerging poets and prose writers and with a rich programme with very important representatives of the honoured country Italy that touched the “close horizons” of the two countries, this year’s exhibition had an enormous diversity and was a space for dialogue for all different views.

Through the events organised, the Thessaloniki International Book Fair participated in the debate that is taking place all over the world and concerns the future of the publishing industry and the professionals of the field. Artificial Intelligence, ebooks and audiobooks, the use of images are some of the topics discussed looking precisely at the new challenges.

ELIPVIP has set the upgrading of the role of the Exhibition as a priority as book fairs have a great impact not only on the publishing sector, but also on the general cultural activity, on the economy of cities, on their visitor numbers and image, as well as on cultural diplomacy.