Testo, the book and publishing fair in Florence
From 27 February to 1th March, the Stazione Leopolda hosts 169 publishing houses and a rich programme of events, presentations and guests
From February 27 to March 1, Florence's Stazione Leopolda will host the fifth edition of TESTO – Come si diventa un libro (How to become a book), an event dedicated to contemporary publishing organized by Pitti Immagine in collaboration with Stazione Leopolda and conceived by the Todo Modo bookstore.
With 169 publishing houses (31 participating for the first time or returning), over 180 international authors, and nearly 200 events, TESTO confirms its status as one of the most eagerly awaited cultural events in Italy for those
Testo 2024How a book is made: the seven stages of publishing
The heart of the event is the story of the journey that transforms an idea into a book. TESTO reconstructs the publishing chain through seven stages: The manuscript; The blurb; The translation; The mark; The story; The bookshop and The reader. A journey that allows the public to enter the great laboratory of contemporary publishing, with previews, presentations, seminars, panels, workshops, and original productions.
As Agostino Poletto, Director of Corporate Strategies at Pitti Immagine, points out, the goal is to strengthen dialogue with the reading community through collaboration with about forty partner bookstores throughout Italy, over thirty book clubs—both physical and digital—and the library network.
The Leopolda also boasts a new layout: larger stands for publishers, new rest areas, and spaces designed to encourage dialogue and reading, transforming the former railway station into a large, welcoming bookshop.
The theme for 2026: ESTRO, the creative force behind books
The theme for the fifth edition is ESTRO: five letters, like the five editions of the fair. A reference to creativity, intellectual vivacity, and that restless drive that leads to writing, translating, and publishing.
From the Greek oîstros, “horsefly,” that which stings and stimulates thought: it is no coincidence that the horsefly is the graphic symbol of TESTO 2026.
Testo 2024International guests and big Italian names
Among the authors who have chosen TESTO to present their new books for the first time in Italy are: Yasmina Reza, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Haytham el-Wardany, and Pierre Jourde. There are also many international voices present, including Kader Abdolah, Mircea Cărtărescu, and Antoine Volodine. Italian guests include Alessandro Baricco, Stefano Bartezzaghi, Michele Mari, Stefano Mancuso, and Daria Bignardi.
TESTO also celebrates key figures in literary history such as Richard Yates on the centenary of his birth, Jean Genet forty years after his death, and J. D. Salinger 75 years after the publication of The Catcher in the Rye in the United States.
A special tribute will also be dedicated to Giovanni Gandini and art historian Lara-Vinca Masini, with materials from the Luigi Pecci Center for Contemporary Art.
Testofficina, panels, and artificial intelligence
Among the most eagerly awaited events is Paul B. Preciado's Testofficina seminar, dedicated to overcoming gender binarism. Testofficina Manoscritti is also back: 24 authors selected through an open call will meet editors and literary agents in professional speed dating sessions.
There will be panels on debut authors, those dedicated to the ‘second book’ – one of the most complex challenges for a writer – and a discussion on the new challenges of translation in the age of artificial intelligence.
Outside the Leopolda, the Literary Walks in the center of Florence, led by writers and cultural associations, are back.
