Everything you need to know about the National Book Festival

This year's National Book Festival will take place between 4 and 8 November, at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC), Ta' Qali. The Festival is organised by the National Book Council, and is the biggest celebration of book culture in Malta.

This year, over 40 exhibitors will participate, including publishers, booksellers, self-published writers, and cultural entities. The program of activities includes over 60 activities, and therefore the Festival is inviting everyone, regardless of their walk of life, to attend and discover history themselves! We assure you that at the Festival there will definitely be that book that is right for you, ready for you to discover.

Below you will find all the information you need to have a wonderful experience at the MFCC during the National Book Festival next week!

When will it be held and where?

The Festival is held at the MFCC, and these are the opening hours:

• Wednesday 4th November: 09:00-21:00
• Thursday 5th November: 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:00
• Friday 6th November: 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:00
• Saturday 7th November: 09:00-21:00
• Sunday 8th November: 09:00-20:00

Free entry to the National Book Festival .

How to get there

The MFCC is located in Ta' Qali, a central location in Malta. Visitors can enter from both the North Entrance and the South Entrance.

If you come by car

Those driving to the MFCC can park in the indoor parking lot opposite the Aviation Museum near the South Entrance. Those coming from the North Entrance can park in the large outdoor parking lot.

IMPORTANT NOTE: On Thursday and Friday mornings only (09:00-13:00), those arriving by car must park at the South Entrance only, as the North Entrance will be used by minibuses and student coaches.

If you come by bus

Those arriving by bus can take the following routes, which will stop you near the South Entrance:

From Wednesday to Friday

56, 186, 202, 403, 405 ( Stadium Bus Stop)

56, 186, 202 ( Venture Bus Stop)

Saturday and Sunday

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Due to the road leading to the South Entrance being closed to vehicles on Saturday and Sunday, the Stadium and Venture bus stops will not be in use on these two days. You are encouraged to take the 56, 186 and 202 which will take you to a temporary bus stop . There will be Transport Malta officers there to direct you.

Special guests grace the activities program

The Malta Book Festival boasts a tradition of prominent writers from around the world, who have visited the event over the years since its format changed in 2013. Among others, we have had writers of the calibre of Salman Rushdie, John Boyne, Irvine Welsh, Naomi Klein, and Anthony Horowitz, among others. The accessibility that the public has to these international writers makes this event unique This year will be no less.

The world-famous Scottish writer Ian Rankin , famous for his books featuring the character of Inspector Rebus, will lead a masterclass on Ġjalleska writing on Thursday 5 November at 19:00, as well as being interviewed live on Saturday 7 November at 19:00, after which he will be signing books.

Meanwhile, the Festival is also honoured with the presence of renowned Spanish writer Esther García Llovet – who has had her two novels Spanish Beauty and Sanchez published by Foundry Editions. Llovet will be speaking with interdisciplinary artist and researcher Charlie Cauchi on Friday 6 November at 19:00. This interview will explore Llovet's literary journey and her sense of space that is evident in novels set in the dark corners of cities such as Madrid and Benidorm.

Those wishing to attend these activities must register for free through Submittable .

Dynamic collaborations that enrich the book experience

As happens every year, the Malta Book Festival will be enriched by the number of collaborations with entities and individuals in the creative field. These collaborations will be inspired by books, but will result in interdisciplinary works and activities.

Among others, the exhibition From Illustration to Book – organised by the National Book Council and the Malta Arts Council and exploring the evolution of contemporary illustration in Malta – has reached its fifth edition.

This year, performing arts will be given prominence thanks to the theatre shows staged by More or Less Theatre. These shows are aimed at children and young people and will be held back-to-back on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, in another collaboration between the NBC and Teatru Malta – Stories You've Never Heard – there will be phone boxes at different locations throughout the Festival where people can enter and listen to dramatised pieces from contemporary Maltese literature.

A festival that welcomes everyone

Accessibility and inclusion remain key factors for the organisers of the Malta Book Festival. The Sensory Room , in collaboration with the Inspire Foundation with the support of APS Bank , will offer a welcoming and environmentally aware space for children on the autism spectrum and their families. This initiative will make the Festival an accessible and comfortable place, with activities that encourage participation in a welcoming environment.

Those families who need it are encouraged to visit this room during their stay.

€20 voucher for students

The National Book Council is proud that this year too it will be offering a €20 voucher to every primary and secondary school student (Years 1-11), which can be redeemed from all retailers and publishers during the Festival.

Register for the voucher here.

All children who will be coming alone or with their families or guardians (i.e. not with the class), must register for the voucher through our online portal. Parents or guardians can register for their children from Thursday 15th October until the last day of the Festival, Sunday 8th November.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who come with their school have been given a voucher directly, and therefore cannot re-register for another voucher with their family or guardians. Students who are unable to come on the day of the class visit can collect their physical voucher from the Festival Info Point upon arrival. School registrations are now closed.

Make sure to keep up to date with all the news related to the National Book Festival by following the Festival's Facebook page, the NBC's Facebook and Instagram pages , and the Festival page on our website.