The 47th edition of the Malta Book Festival will take place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta' Qali from 4 to 8 November, bringing together more than 40 exhibitors and offering a programme of over 60 events celebrating books and reading.

Organised by the National Book Council (NBC), the festival is the largest celebration of book culture in Malta, welcoming publishers, booksellers, self-published authors and cultural organisations. Admission is free.

This year's programme features internationally acclaimed authors, literary discussions, exhibitions, theatre performances and activities designed to make the festival accessible to visitors of all ages.

International literary names headline the programme

Among the festival's special guests is Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels. Rankin will lead a masterclass on crime writing on Thursday, 5 November at 7pm, before taking part in a live interview on Saturday 7 November, at 7pm. The interview will be followed by a book signing.

The festival will also welcome Spanish author Esther García Llovet, whose novels Spanish Beauty and Sanchez have been published in English by Foundry Editions.

Llovet will be in conversation with interdisciplinary artist and researcher Charlie Cauchi on Friday 6 November at 7pm. The discussion will explore her distinctive approach to place and storytelling, including her depictions of the grittier sides of cities such as Madrid and Benidorm.

Registration for both authors' events is free and available through Submittable.

The festival has developed a tradition of hosting prominent international literary figures since its rebranding from a book fair to a festival in 2013. Previous guests have included Salman Rushdie, John Boyne, Irvine Welsh, Naomi Klein and Anthony Horowitz.

Books meet illustration and the performing arts

Beyond traditional literary events, the festival will once again showcase collaborations that bring books to life through different art forms.

The fifth edition of From Illustration to Book, organised jointly by the National Book Council and Arts Council Malta, will explore the development of contemporary illustration in Malta through a collaborative exhibition.

The performing arts will also feature prominently, with theatre productions by More or Less Theatre aimed at children and young adults scheduled throughout Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Another collaboration, Stejjer li Qatt Ma Qrawlek, developed by the National Book Council and Teatru Malta, will introduce telephone booths around the festival venue where visitors can listen to dramatised audio adaptations of contemporary Maltese prose.

These initiatives aim to offer visitors new ways of experiencing literature and encourage engagement with Maltese books beyond the printed page.

Dedicated space promotes inclusion

Accessibility remains a key feature of this year's festival, with the Sensory Friendly Room returning through a collaboration with the Inspire Foundation, supported by APS Bank.

The room provides a sensory-conscious environment for families with children on the autism spectrum, offering a more comfortable setting in which to participate in festival activities.

Families are encouraged to explore the programme and incorporate the space into their visit.

€20 book vouchers for students

Primary and secondary school students in Years 1 to 11 will once again be eligible for a €20 book voucher, redeemable with participating booksellers and publishers at the festival.

Students visiting independently or with their families and guardians can register online through the National Book Council's voucher portal at https://vouchers.ktieb.org.mt/. Registration is open until the final day of the festival on Sunday 8 November.

Students attending as part of organised school visits will receive their vouchers at the venue and cannot register independently. Those who are absent on the day of their school visit may collect their vouchers from the festival's information point when they visit at another time. School registrations are closed.

Opening hours and transport arrangements

The festival will be held at the MFCC in Ta' Qali, with visitors able to enter through the venue's north and south entrances, subject to specific access arrangements.

Opening hours are as follows:

• Wednesday 4 November: 9am to 9pm
• Thursday 5 November: 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
• Friday 6 November: 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
• Saturday 7 November: 9am to 9pm
• Sunday 8 November: 9am to 8pm

Visitors arriving by car can use the new indoor parking area opposite the Aviation Museum, near the south entrance, or the outdoor parking area by the north entrance.

On Thursday and Friday mornings, access to the festival will be through the south entrance only, as the north entrance will be reserved for school visits and school transport.

Those travelling by bus can use routes 56, 186, 202, 403 and 405, stopping at Stadium, or routes 56, 186 and 202, stopping at Venture, from Wednesday to Friday.

On Saturday and Sunday, temporary pedestrianisation will mean that the Stadium and Venture bus stops will not be in use. Visitors should instead take routes 56, 186 or 202 to the temporary bus stop established for the event. Transport Malta officials will be present to assist visitors.

With its mix of international literary guests, local creative collaborations, family-friendly activities and initiatives encouraging young people to read, the Malta Book Festival will once again offer a varied programme for book lovers and newcomers alike.

Further updates are available through the Malta Book Festival's Facebook page, the National Book Council's Instagram account and the festival section of the council's website at https://ktieb.org.mt/maltabookfestival/.