On a crisp morning in L’Aquila, a group of high‑school students gathered in the historic piazza, their faces lit by the glow of a reading circle that opened the fourth edition of the L’Aquila Città del Libro festival.
The four‑day event, organized by the municipal cultural office, recorded more than 3,000 attendees, according to the organizers. Over the course of the festival, forty meetings and workshops were held, covering topics from contemporary Italian literature to digital publishing.
Schools played a central role during the first two days, with dozens of classes participating in author talks, writing workshops and guided tours of local libraries. Festival director Maria Rossi said the educational focus was intended to foster reading habits among young people and to showcase the region’s literary heritage.
Local publishers and independent booksellers reported a surge in sales, while the city’s tourism office noted increased hotel bookings linked to the event. Residents praised the festival for revitalising the historic centre and attracting visitors from neighboring regions.
Organizers plan to expand the program next year, aiming to double the number of school‑led activities and to introduce a digital platform for virtual attendance, ensuring the festival’s growth beyond the city limits.