The 54th Book Festival at Pedion tou Areos in Athens officially opens today, September 7, bringing publishers, authors and thousands of books to one of the capital’s largest green spaces.
The annual event, which has moved from its traditional venue at the Zappeion, will run through September 20, transforming Pedion tou Areos into a large open-air library. The festival operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the Attica Regional Authority and the Municipality of Athens, with the active support and organisation of the Association of Book Publishers (SEKB).
The official opening ceremony will take place today at 8pm.
Sustainability takes centre stage
This year’s festival stands out for its scale as well as its strong social and environmental focus.
Its central theme, “Sustainable Development: The Book as Architect of Tomorrow,” highlights the role of literature and knowledge in developing collective awareness, environmental consciousness and social responsibility in response to the challenges facing the planet and future generations.
The festival features 285 modern exhibition stands, hosting 210 publishing houses from across Greece.
Visitors can browse thousands of book titles, including new releases, classic works, essays, comics and children’s literature. They can also meet and speak directly with authors at the “Writers’ Corner.”
More than 200 cultural events
The 2026 Book Festival goes beyond its publishing and commercial programme, offering more than 200 cultural events.
The programme includes round-table discussions, lectures and book presentations organised with institutional partners including the European Parliament Office, the European Commission Representation in Greece, the Network for Children’s Rights and the Greek section of IBBY.
A three-day programme dedicated to emerging writers and other new voices also returns this year, alongside special activities organised by the Hellenic Comics Academy.
Families can attend workshops, shadow theatre performances and other shows, while social organisations will participate through public information initiatives. The festival will also host music evenings and concerts.
Free admission
Admission to the 54th Book Festival is free.
Opening hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 6pm–10:30pm
- Friday–Saturday: 6pm–11pm
- Sunday: 10:30am–3pm and 6pm–10:30pm
Further information and the full programme are available through the official website of the City of Athens Organisation for Culture, Sports and Youth (OPANDA).
