Record 40,000 Visitors Attend 46th Edition Of National Book Festival

The 46th edition of the National Book Festival achieved record success this year, drawing 40,000 visitors over five days at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali.

Organised by the National Book Council (NBC), the 2025 festival featured 44 exhibitors and more than 100 activities celebrating literature, reading and the arts.

Held under the theme “Rewriting”, the festival united publishers, authors, booksellers and cultural partners in a shared celebration of Maltese and international literary culture.

One of its key highlights was the €20 book voucher for students aged between five and sixteen, a scheme introduced in the 2025 Budget. More than 15,000 vouchers were redeemed during the event.

With a total investment of €625,000, the voucher scheme encouraged more families, children and young people to attend the festival and purchase books, while channelling direct financial support into Malta’s publishing industry.

Education Minister Clifton Grima described the initiative as a strong example of the Government’s investment in Maltese literature and the next generation of readers.

He said the project aimed to put books at the centre of family life, helping children build their own libraries while sustaining the publishing sector.

National Book Council Chief Executive Mark Camilleri thanked the Ministry and the Government for their backing, noting that the initiative was extended for the first time to all students in Malta and Gozo.

He said it had successfully drawn families closer to Maltese literature and provided a lasting boost to the local publishing economy.

The 2025 festival also welcomed acclaimed international authors Samantha Harvey, Jeff VanderMeer and Ann VanderMeer, and included From Illustration to Book, an exhibition in collaboration with the Malta Council for the Arts highlighting illustration as an essential part of book creation.

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