The Turin Book Fair opened today for its 38th edition, with workers putting the final touches on stands, books still stacked in boxes and forklifts moving pallets through the halls until the very last minute. In Pavilion 4, dedicated to younger visitors, large question marks painted on colorful walls symbolize the curiosity and big questions of children and teenagers — the true protagonists of this year’s event, inspired by Elsa Morante’s The World Saved by Children.
Opening day will also feature several institutional events. After the official inauguration, Italy’s Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli will take part in a conversation with philosopher Massimo Cacciari, alongside Turin mayor Stefano Lo Russo and regional vice president Maurizio Marrone.
The fair continues to grow year after year, now spanning 147,000 square meters and hosting 2,700 events across 70 venues, with 10,000 additional square meters compared to last year. A major focus has been placed on younger audiences, with expanded areas for schools, workshops and interactive activities. More than 350 events will be dedicated to students and school groups.
One of the key additions this year is a new section curated by five young adults aged 19 to 25, designed as a space for discussions on contemporary issues. The project takes its name from Morante’s famous work and aims to celebrate curiosity, openness and the joy of discovery through reading.
Tributes to Elsa Morante can be found throughout the fair, including “Arturo’s Island,” a small collective stand hosting independent children’s publishers. Alongside literature and publishing, innovation also plays a central role this year: Pavilion 5 will offer professional training sessions for publishers, including demonstrations of new AI software and digital tools.
Organizers have also redesigned entrances and visitor flows to improve accessibility and reduce congestion. With the final preparations now complete, Turin is once again ready to welcome readers, writers and publishers for what director Annalena Benini describes as “a celebration where books and words coexist with playfulness and lightness.”