This year’s 21st TIBF started with the professional programme a few hours before the doors open to the public on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

At the opening event on the importance of international book fairs, Elena Pasoli and Jacks Thomas from the Bologna Children’s Book Fair highlighted the TIBF as a “good example” of how people are returning to fairs after the pandemic, noting the large increase in the number of visitors. They referred to the importance of book fairs for dialogue between countries, translations, publishing and inclusion in general. They stressed the soft power of books, citing as an example the institution of the country of honour at the fairs, thanks to which, for example, Italy became better acquainted with contemporary Greek intellectual creation when Greece was the country of honour at the Bologna Fair.

In a panel on the Greek book market today, ELIVIP’s Vice President, researcher Panagiotis Kapos presented to book professionals research data, as well as qualitative and quantitative data on the Greek publishing industry. He spoke about key characteristics of the Greek publishing industry and referred to various challenges, while he also presented the relaunch of ELIVIP’s translation programme, GreekLit, with 52 books translated so far, as well as the relevant catalogue printed for the needs of the exhibition. This was followed by a discussion with the publishers and members of ELIVIP’s Board of Directors, Argyris Kastaniotis and Giorgos Mouroutis, who presented the panorama of the publishing industry through their professional experience. Finally, there was a constructive discussion with publishing professionals from abroad. Relevant research data are available on the website of ELIVIP.

At the panel on the global children’s book market, book professionals stressed that, despite the changes brought about by digital entertainment, the average family chooses books for their children. However, there are exciting children’s books available that people are not aware of. This is also related to the fact that, especially small publishers, are finding it difficult to find the resources for promotions. Children’s books need greater accessibility and use of digital media, but they are not going to die out. Even if an asteroid falls and hits the earth, children’s books will endure, it was said.

In a presentation of Italy’s publishing activity as a country of honour, it was pointed out that in the last decade books have been by far one of the most important cultural business activities in the country and the fourth power in Europe in relation to books.

The programme of the Italian Guest of Honour for the public was inaugurated by Andrea Marcolongo, the “most Greek of contemporary Italian women writers“, who spoke with the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens, Francesco Neri, about the role of classical studies and the criticism they receive as they are considered elitist, while they inspire us in our daily lives. “I am proud of my Italian origins, but what I am today as a writer I owe to Greek culture“, he said. “I believe that humanist studies promote democracy. I remember a quote from one of Ferrante’s books where a little child is asked, ‘why do you want to learn Greek’ and he replies ‘because ancient Greek is beautiful!’ Beautiful is not the same as useful, but it is motivating,” said Marcolongo.

Among the events of the day, of particular interest was the presence of Ennio Moricone’s son, Marco, who spoke about the book he wrote about his father. “I was trying to understand what was going around in this man’s head,” he said, among other things. “This book was a point of transcendence, a marathon, because when my father couldn’t or wouldn’t be understood, I had to go and meet him.”

Thursday was also the first day of the Children’s and Teenagers’ Corner programme, with stand 13 filled with over 1,400 students from 32 schools of all educational levels in Thessaloniki and the surrounding prefectures, such as Imathia, Kilkis or Serres. The children participated in events and workshops and toured the TIB premises, giving their unique vitality and energy!

Apart from the children’s programme, the issue of youth literacy was addressed by various adult panels, where reflection was expressed on the need for a new, different approach to young people, the use of technology, as well as inventive and creative narrative methods.

The 21st TIBF takes place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 May, admission is free and the opening hours for the public are Thursday 15.00-21.00, Friday & Saturday 10.00-22.00 and Sunday 10.00-21.00.