The debate takes off, launched by Il Mattino, on the opportunity to bring together the three Neapolitan literary festivals (Campania Libri Festival, Napoli Città Libro and Ricomincio dai Libri) in a single event. After the publishers’ openness to the reunification of the events, it is the writers’ turn, who launch concrete proposals for action, but also the warning about the need to respect the distinctions between the events.
The writer thinks so too Maurizio de Giovanni: «I am in favor of the unification of the events – he explains – but I also believe that there is a reason behind the creation of different shows: they have different identities. A large-scale event would be desirable, but the legitimate differences in identity between one literary event and another must be considered, which can only be overcome with the intervention of an institution that takes responsibility for making the different identities compatible. Everyone should be given the opportunity to maintain their identity, entrusting the care of different sections to those who have the skills”.
«I am very in favor of the principle of union – observes the writer Diego De Silva – Better one big thing than many small ones. Scatters are an ancient defect of the city. Let us now overcome the differences in positions for the good of Neapolitan literature. An event that involves many people will increase the number of readers in the area. Festivals are not held to talk to each other, but to bring literature to the people.”
The knots
The schism of the Neapolitan literary salons has lasted since 2021. In this sense, the writer’s opinion is important Lorenzo Maronewho is also the artistic director of I start again from the Books«the longest running fair in the city – he argues – We work without financing and we carry high quality names. Naples should have the resources and skills to set up a unique and important exhibition.
But unfortunately, today, resources are misdirected, as are skills. The artistic direction of a festival must be entrusted to writers. The problem is that in Naples uniting is synonymous with incorporating, and this does not take into account the specializations of the individual editorial entities. I start again from the Books it is very strong with associations, with the world of authors and that of childhood, for example.”
So what to do? “The region – continues Marone – should put the three fairs around a table, so as to assign individual specificities and put skills to good use. As a citizen and a writer I hope for a unique salon. As an artistic director I realize that there is a lack of decisive political will.” Rosario Esposito La Rossa, writer and editor of, then intervenes in the debate Marotta&Cafiero: «We take and will take two stands at each event.
The only possible merger I see is between Campania Libri Festival and Napoli Città Libro. To create a fair on the Turin model, millions are needed, and these two fairs are financed. The fate of Ricomincio dai Libri remains to be understood which, despite without funding, brings the biggest names to Naples. You could bet, however I’ll start again, come on Booksto the model Mantua: that is, organizing a festival without stands, so as to avoid competition with other events.”
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