(by Francesca Romana Riello) From morning coffee to evening aperitifs and dinner with the author, literature returns to the streets of Verona with Bookwalk, the city’s first convivial literary festival — a celebration where words, flavors, and people come together. From November 12 to 18, Verona will turn into an open-air living room as cafés, restaurants, and public spaces host readings and encounters in some of the most vibrant corners of the historic center.
Bringing stories into the streets
No longer confined to the printed page, stories come alive through people. That’s the spirit behind Bookwalk, born from the vision of journalist and writer Anna Martellato: “Bookwalk will be visionary, rooted, and free — a shared narrative journey, an invitation to listen, reflect, and discover”. Supported by AGSM AIM and a network of local organizations, the festival celebrates conviviality as its language, blending literature, art, and gastronomy. From Casa Mazzanti Caffè in Piazza Erbe to the Sala Futurista of Olivo1939, and iconic venues such as La Costa in Bra and Re Teodorico, every space turns into a stage for readings, literary brunches, and themed events. “Culture is born from the encounter between reader, author, and place,” says Michael Cortelletti, the creative mind behind the Olivo1939 Group and one of the festival’s promoters. “Bookwalk aims to ignite the desire to read and highlight the character of Verona — a city that welcomes with elegance and curiosity”.
A three-year journey between roots and future
This first edition, themed “No Roots, No Flight”, marks the beginning of a three-year journey (2025–2027) through the stories and spaces of the city. The symbol of the festival is the semicolon — a sign of pause and renewal, just like literature, and like life. Alongside the authors, journalists, editors, talent scouts, and professors from the University of Verona will take part in a symposium bridging education and creativity — a way to rediscover the value of words in a time when more than 83,000 new titles are published in Italy each year.
A festival for the city
With Bookwalk, Verona turns into a cultural and urban lab where literature meets everyday life. Not just book launches — but experiences: a dinner-show with Wanda Marasco (Nov 13–18, 9 p.m.), brunches with emerging authors over the weekend, and themed events dedicated to tea, plants, and essential oils. No events overlap, allowing visitors to truly walk through stories, savoring each one at their own pace. A grassroots festival built on relationships, Bookwalk invites the city to rediscover one of the most timeless and human gestures: walking and reading. More information and full program at bookwalk.it
