A new book fair arrives in Florence: it's TESTO, Feb. 25-27

A new book fair (but not only) in Florence: it is TESTO [How to become a book], a new project dedicated to the world of contemporary publishing and its protagonists, scheduled at Stazione Leopolda from February 25 to 27, 2022. The first edition of the new kermesse, organized by Stazione Leopolda and Pitti Immagine, conceived by Todo Modo, with the patronage and collaboration of the City of Florence and the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, will be animated by a team of curators and will tell the world of books from the inside, addressing both the general public of readers and insiders, booksellers, library directors, and journalists. It will be an annual event and promises to show itself to the public with an innovative format.

The public in fact, the organizers point out, will be called upon not only to visit the exhibition route, but to be the protagonist of experiences, both individual and collective, that revolve around the passion for books. Workshops, narrations, meetings, reading lists to share on social networks and many other opportunities for the multifaceted community of readers who, the organizers declare, “will find in TEXT an unprecedented, profound and stimulating dimension.”

In the two aisles of the Stazione Leopolda, each publishing house will display a selection of titles: there will be, organizers promise, no visual overabundance or piling of volumes on tables. Through discussions with editors, editors and press offices (and guided tours by booksellers), readers can immerse themselves in the spirit of the proposals. To delve deeper into the publisher’s catalog, more titles will be displayed on the shelves behind the tables.

At the Leopolda, the life cycle of the book will then be recreated through a pathway in seven "stations.“ Each station (the Manuscript, the Rewind, the Translation, the Sign, the Story, the Bookstore, the Reader) presents a stage in the life of the book: from the work of the writer, to that of editors, translators, graphic designers, promoters and booksellers, to the reader. The program of presentations, meetings and events has been developed by a team of curators, who serve as ”Stationmasters." During the three days of Testo also the public will be featured in a series of themed workshops related to the seven stations. The aim is to tell “How to become a book.” A series of appointments that can be attended for free (after registration), open to a limited number of participants, dedicated to writing, translation, graphic design and other areas of the book ecosystem, held by the Stationmasters themselves and other professionals.

Testo then proposes an alternative and interactive way to move around the Leopolda’s spaces thanks to Ipertesto, a program of guided tours that calls in booksellers, librarians, literary critics, influencers, authors, and representatives of other book festivals. These exceptional guides will lead small groups of readers among the tables of publishing houses: each guide will propose his or her own path, following a title-theme, a thread, an insight, a passion.

Finally, at the Stazione Leopolda there will be a meeting point, a place to meet, where reading paths intersect: seven books proposed by each publisher are on display here, and the guided paths will start from here. Testo opens from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The calendar, which includes international guests and many Italian authors and guests, can already be viewed on the website , where all the information can also be found.

Image: the Stazione Leopolda in Florence

A new book fair arrives in Florence: it's TESTO, Feb. 25-27

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.