For the first time in the history of the Lima International Book Fair, Italy will be the Guest of Honour. This unique opportunity celebrates 150 years of relations between Italy and Peru through a rich programme entitled “Latin connections”, which from 18 July to 6 August 2025 will showcase the vibrancy and contemporaneity of Italian culture in South America.
The Italian delegation will consist of thirteen authors: Bruno Arpaia, Marino Bartoletti, Marta Cai, Mario Calabresi, Lorena Canottiere, Rita Charbonnier, Ilaria Gaspari, Gud, Eva Montanari, Aurora Tamigio, Nadeesha Uyangoda, Carlo Vecce and Dario Voltolini, taking part in over fifty events including meetings, round tables and public dialogues. The programme also includes five exhibitions, among them “Between two worlds”, dedicated to Antonio Raimondi, an emblematic figure of the ties between the two countries, and “Young pencils”, which explores emerging talent in Italian illustration.
Completing the cultural itinerary, a film festival featuring fifteen films adapted from Italian literary works, seven of which will be screened for the first time to the Peruvian audience, alongside three concerts, including performances by Italian-American tenor Gianluca Sciarpelletti and an evening dedicated to the soundtracks of Morricone and other great Italian composers.
This initiative is made possible thanks to the support of Italian institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Embassy in Lima, the Italian Cultural Institute, IITA – Italian Trade Agency, the Ministry of Culture, the Centre for books and reading, and the Italian Publishers Association. The aim is to strengthen editorial exchange and promote the dissemination of our language and literature in Spanish-speaking countries, which already represent the primary market for Italian book translations.
“For the first time in the history of the Lima International Book Fair, Italy is Guest of Honour. This invitation, beyond being a showcase for our country, allows us to present the full richness, variety and complexity of a cultural, literary and publishing production that South America, and our Peruvian partners in particular, regard with great interest,” declared the Italian Ambassador in Lima, Massimiliano Mazzanti. “Although originating far back, the Latin connections outlined in the programme continue to enrich themselves today with visions and perspectives, also thanks to the presence of an active and engaged Italian community in Peru, joined by nearly two million Italo-Peruvian descendants deeply connected to their roots,” added the Ambassador, explaining how this Italian participation “represents an important moment to continue the dialogue together, as we have for over 150 years”.
