The fourth edition of Book Pride kicks off at Superstudio Maxi from 4 to 6 March for a weekend entirely dedicated to independent publishing.

At times, taking a break is a plus, new ideas can appear in a flash. This is what happened to Book Pride, which, in its third edition, was cut short in the first months of 2020. Just a year after the First Pandemic, a brand-new pool of entrepreneurs founded the Book Pride Association. They scrapped the idea of a traditional stand-based fair and instead created a place for sharing, where independent publishers could find their oasis, able to freely meet without being overshadowed by big publishers.
  Who do we refer to when we speak of independent publishers, then? And from what are they claiming independence? A must-ask to make room for a deeper understanding of this extensive network in Italy, yet still little known. Journalist and author of Altreeconomia, Massimo Acanfora, says that “independent publishers pursue particular publishing projects, free from the following costraints: “concentration” of informative and cultural power; dependence on mainstream topics and authors that often lead to the lowering of standards of the cultural possibilities; closing within the traditional supply chain.” In general, as Roman publisher of science fiction Mosca Bianca explains: “an independent publisher has no administrative constraints, as well as an almost unlimited freedom in the editorial choices. However, they can meet some financial difficulties, since they don't have the support of influential publishers.”
  Of course, more independence isn't always better. "Basically, being independent is not a value that can be judged as good or bad: there are small publishers with limited planning ability and creativity, while large, independent publishers have plenty of ideas and cultural energy" explains Interlinea, a literary book publisher based in Novara. "It’s about structural identity."
  Now, who is the independent reader? Can we point out their identity? "There is usually a loyal audience, often different from the ones associated with big editorial companies which, with the aim of resisting the “sameness” of the cultural industry, thus protecting "cultural richness".
  The 2022 theme "Moltitudini" is about the different voices of independent publishers (in 2021, they generated 47% of the total revenue of the publishing market), also calling for a renewed sense of community and relationship through culture as an antidote to contemporary loneliness. “Moltitudini”, one word, many meanings: “collaborations, sharings”, “heterogeneity, richness”, “awareness” but also a quick, anonymous and acritical acceptance, a sheep-like tendency towards the masses and their habits. These are the most dangerous kinds of “moltitudini”.ons, sharings”, “heterogeneity, richness”, “awareness” but also a quick, anonymus and acritical acceptance, a lemming-like tendency toward mass and their habits. These are the most dangerous kinds of “moltitudini”.

Information: 
When: From 10 to 20 (4-6 March)
Where: At Superstudio Maxi, in via Moncucco 35, Milan.
Link to the tickets: https://www.vivaticket.com/it/tour/book-pride-2022/2962 
Link to the official site of the event: https://www.bookpride.org/contatti