(By Michelle Ruelle).
The 'Time for Books' fair, which
encountered controversy when it was organised after the
long-established Turin book fair lost the confidence of Italian
publishers in early 2016, debuted on Wednesday in the presence
of Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, who called it a
dynamic trade fair aimed at increasing readers in Italy.
The fair is in its first year, while the five-day Turin
International Book Fair is celebrating its 30th anniversary this
year and will begin on May 18.
When journalists asked Franceschini whether or not he was in
favor of just one book fair rather than two, he said the two
fairs aren't competing against each other and that he'd wait to
see after having visited both.
Italian Publishers' Association (AIE) President Federico
Motta, referring to the two fairs, said he hoped to "continue
down a common path", and thanked Franceschini for "having at
heart the fate of culture in this country".
Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino will visit the Time for Books
fair in Milan on Sunday, together with former Culture Minister
Massimo Bray, president-elect of the Turin book fair's managing
body, the Book Foundation.
Appendino said they are working on this year's fair and
"haven't yet thought about any future synergies".
"We've always had a great working relationship with (Milan)
Mayor Sala. They'll do their fair and we'll do ours. That's
where we're focusing our energies," Appendino said.
Time for Books is being held at Milan's Rho trade fair
centre, spread across 37,000 square metres, with 552 exhibitors
and 2,000 guests.
Crowds were low on opening day Wednesday, but the true test
will be at the weekend, with a long holiday weekend that could
further diminish turnout.
Renata Gorgani, president of Fabbrica del Libro (Book
Factory), which organised the Time for Books fair, highlighted
that there will be 600 women hosted at the event, making it an
"exception".
"Usually at book fairs, women make up 10 percent," she said.
She also emphasised that the fair would host fewer new book
presentations and instead offer more sessions with authors,
journalists, scientists and experts.
"There will be authors talking about other authors, and small
publishing houses make up 80 percent of those present," Gorgani
said.
Time for Books runs through Sunday, April 23.
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