Around the world in 5 literary festivals

06 November 2019 08:27

What will you find on bookshelves across the globe?

What will you find on bookshelves across the globe?

For many the opportunity to spend some time reading is one of the little perks of being on holiday. But what if books were the whole point of going on holiday in the first place? Here are some of the world's finest literary inspired getaways.

1. Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany

Welcoming over 280,000 visitors across five days, the Frankfurt Book Fair is considered the world's biggest trade fair for books. This year's programme focused on Norwegian writing and in 2020 it's Canada's turn. Frankfurt's fair is the famous home of the Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year. In 2018 the coveted award was given to 'The Joy of Water Boiling', a German-language guide to cooking meals in a kettle.

2. Sydney Writers' Festival, Australia

Head to Sydney in April and you could find yourself enjoying book readings on Bondi Beach and conversations with authors by the Pacific coast. The biggest names in screenwriting, poetry, children's literature and more offer their insights across a programme of over 300 events designed for a diverse audience. The week-long festival attracts up to 100,000 visitors, to what organiser's call 'Australia's biggest celebration of writing and ideas.'

3. Buenos Aires International Book Fair, Argentina

The capital of Argentina is well known for its love of tango, steak and wine but did you know the city is a UNESCO World Book Capital? Although the international book fair started in 1975, earlier fairs took place in the city as far back as 1930. Today it welcomes over one million visitors across three weeks of events. If that wasn't appealing enough, Buenos Aires also has more book shops per person than any other city in the world.

4. Guadalajara International Book Fair

Mexico hosts the second-largest book fair in the world. Organised by the University of Guadalajara, the book fair started in 1987 and welcomes over 520,000 visitors each year. An audience of industry professionals and literature lovers fill the Expo Guadalajara convention centre's 40,000 square metres, inviting a different nation each year as guest of honour.

5. Kolkata Literary Festival, India

The world's largest non-trade literary festival can also boast the title of Asia's largest book fair and the most-attended book fair in the world. The 12-day event starts on the last Wednesday of January, with a quieter day falling on the Hindu festival of Saraswati Puja. Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning and Hindus observe the day by only touching books to worship them. Visit Mother Theresa's home in the city or feel the kindness of Kolkata elsewhere, as the festival's programme of events are all free to the general public.

Don't limit your culture vulture getaways. Get covered wherever you land.

Don't forget your travel insurance before you bury yourself in books. At World First we provide worldwide travel insurance, so you'll be fully covered for your literary adventure...

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