«The Book Fair like San Giovanni». And Fedez also arrives (THE VIDEO) – Turin News

Some, jokingly, started calling it “colossal”. It’s the program of XXXVI edition of the Turin International Book Fair, with hundreds of guests, meetings, debates and off events. «There will be great authors, Nobel Prize winners, excellences from the publishing world and then many pop personalities» says the president of Turin Città del Libro, Silvio Viale, a few days before the start of the event. «We also recently closed the agreement with Fedez».

It has been difficult?
“I would not say. He is the one who wanted to come.”
In what sense?
«Let’s say that the Salone is a moment in which we discuss, debate and have the opportunity to dialogue with the public. I believe that, for anyone who works in literature or entertainment, it is nice to be there.”

The people of Turin love the Salone. Is it a mutual feeling?
«From 2017 to today the numbers at the Show have almost tripled. Both in terms of exhibition attendance, visitors and economic benefits. We are talking about an event that is certainly very important for the area and that the people of Turin defend vigorously every year. In short, yes. The Salon is part of the city. It’s like Saint John.”
Identity?
«Exactly, by organizing it we know we are dealing with a “common good”. This is why we try to improve services and accessibility.”
Is Lingotto too tight for you?
«Clearly it is an event that now has its own physical-logistical grandeur. I think his home is Lingotto. Then it is a strategic place in the city.”

Let’s say there aren’t any great alternatives…
«Yes, I don’t think there is an alternative in the city for an event like the Book Fair».
In a certain sense, the Salone Off extends the event to the whole city. Is it possible to think of new synergies perhaps with the world of food?
«Salone Off turns twenty this year, so it’s clear that we believe a lot in this project. We have the ambition to develop it better and better.”
In recent days there was the Salone del Mobile and Milan also suffered. What critical issues do you see on the horizon?
«We suffer a bit from the presence of so many construction sites, but the city has built a work table to inform citizens and even on the ring road there will be all the references to the exits. In general, cities that receive events like these always suffer a bit.”