The 47th edition of the Malta Book Festival was officially launched on Tuesday evening at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta' Qali, ahead of its opening to the public from November 4 to 8.

Organised by the National Book Council (NBC), the annual event is the country's largest celebration of books and literary culture, bringing together publishers, booksellers, self-published authors and other players in the industry under one roof. It also offers a packed programme of activities and events catering for readers of all ages.

This year's edition is being held under the theme 'Uncover the Story', encouraging visitors to explore the world of books and discover stories that capture their imagination.

The theme is partly inspired by the work of Scottish crime novelist Ian Rankin, one of the Festival's special international guests. Drawing on the atmosphere of classic detective films, the promotional campaign was developed by Rupture Studio in collaboration with the NBC, inviting audiences to embrace the spirit of mystery, exploration and discovery.

The Festival will also welcome acclaimed Spanish author Esther García Llovet, who will discuss her novels Spanish Beauty and Sanchez in conversation with Maltese interdisciplinary artist Charlie Cauchi.

Addressing the opening ceremony, NBC Executive Chairperson Mark Camilleri highlighted the Festival's role in showcasing the different stages of the publishing industry, from research and writing to editing, proofreading, design and printing.

He said the event was also committed to celebrating the wider creative potential of the written word, with this year's programme placing particular emphasis on the relationship between literature and other art forms.

One of the main initiatives is the fifth edition of "From Illustration to Book", a collaboration between the NBC and Arts Council Malta which celebrates Maltese book illustrators, both established and emerging. The exhibition offers visitors an immersive insight into the work of illustrators and their contribution to the publishing sector.

The Festival will also feature theatrical adaptations of three contemporary Maltese children's books by More or Less Theatre, under the artistic direction of Malcolm Galea. The specially developed productions will be staged on a rotating basis, with tickets already close to selling out.

Another collaboration, this time between the NBC and Teatru Malta, has resulted in Stejjer li Qatt Ma Qrawlek, an eight-episode podcast series featuring dramatised adaptations of contemporary Maltese writing. The performances are delivered by Teatru Malta's in-house actors, with sound design by Albert Garzia.

Visitors will be able to sample episodes through listening installations located at three different points around the MFCC, while the full podcast series is scheduled for online release next year.

Camilleri also highlighted the importance of encouraging younger generations to engage with books, pointing to the €20 voucher scheme available to primary and secondary school pupils as part of efforts to promote reading.

During his address, he paid tribute to the late publisher Arthur Gruppetta, who passed away last November, describing him as one of the founding figures of Malta's publishing industry. He also remembered Ġorġ Mallia for his pioneering contribution to illustration and acknowledged the guidance and advice he had provided during his own tenure as NBC chairperson.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Arts, Culture and National Heritage Carlos Tabone welcomed the Festival's growing popularity, noting that it attracted around 40,000 visitors last year, with even higher attendance expected for this edition.

He stressed the importance of reading at a time when people are increasingly exposed to short-form digital content and fragmented information. Sustained reading, he said, remains essential for developing concentration, critical thinking and language skills.

Investing in books, Tabone added, is ultimately an investment in people, education, cultural identity and the creative economy.

Arts Council Malta Director of Strategy Daniel Azzopardi also highlighted the links between the different sectors of the creative economy represented at the Festival.

He said the Council's longstanding collaboration with the NBC went beyond the annual event, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening Malta's literary and creative industries and helping professionals in the sector build sustainable careers.

The Malta Book Festival runs until November 8 at the MFCC in Ta' Qali, with a programme combining literature, illustration, theatre and other creative activities.