Thessaloniki Book Fair Thessaloniki

The Thessaloniki Book Fair is an annual international book event of growing significance, which has established itself as a cultural and literary hub in Southeast Europe. Since its inception in 2004 by the National Book Centre of Greece (EKEVI), it has attracted a diverse audience of industry professionals and literature enthusiasts alike. Since 2014, it has been held under the auspices of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, which has helped shape its distinct cultural identity and reinforced its international orientation.

The fair takes place at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre (T.I.E.C.C.), also known as the Helexpo Grounds—a modern venue located in the heart of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city and a vibrant cultural crossroads of the Balkans. It is organized by TIF-HELEXPO S.A., the country’s leading exhibition company, renowned for its long-standing expertise in hosting major events both domestically and abroad.

Combining elements of a professional trade fair with those of a public cultural festival, the Thessaloniki Book Fair provides a high-quality platform for publishers, authors, booksellers, translators, librarians, and literary enthusiasts from around the world. It promotes both professional exchange within the book industry and open access for the general public.

The fair focuses on cultural dialogue, literary diversity, and international collaboration. This year’s theme, “Shared Horizons”, highlights the cultural ties between Greece and Italy. Additional thematic spotlights include literature from the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkan region—areas authentically represented by Thessaloniki as host city. The fair offers authors, publishers, and translators from these regions a stage to showcase their work and build meaningful networks.

The program features books across all genres, digital publishing formats, publishing services, and literary initiatives. Readings, panel discussions, and industry events provide insights into current literary trends and encourage dialogue on social, political, and cultural issues.

A special highlight is the “Children’s Corner”—a thoughtfully curated program for young readers where tales from One Thousand and One Nights come to life alongside traditional Balkan stories. In doing so, the fair offers children an engaging and educational introduction to the richness of world literature.

With several thousand visitors each year, the Thessaloniki Book Fair has become one of Southeast Europe’s most important literary events. More than just a conventional book fair, it is a dynamic space for cultural exchange and literary discovery.

The Thessaloniki Book Fair takes place annually, and therefore for the 22nd time previsibly in May 2026 in Thessaloniki.