Bari: From 9th to 12th October “Babafesta” the Festival dedicated to Children's Literature

Now in its fourth edition, Babafesta is a festival with an international scope that, year after year, involves some of the most active entities in the Puglia region. The project was born from an idea of ​​the historic Milanese publishing house Babalibri, which for twenty-five years has offered the Italian public illustrated books and first readers that stand out for their ability to accompany children in their emotional, cognitive and social growth.

The 2024 edition of Babafesta wishes to consolidate the collaborations already started and create new ones, giving the festival audience the opportunity to grow and renew their participation. The choice of the Murat Space as the nerve center of all Babafesta activities and the confirmation of the partnership with the Alliance Française, the Biblioteca dei ragazzi/e, the Biblioteca De Gemmis and the Teatro Pubblico Pugliese, to which is added the participation of the University of Bari Aldo Moro. Also precious is the involvement of the city of Martina Franca, thanks to the partnership with the independent bookshop Liberinfabula.

There will also be art games that, among penguins and vaporous monsters, will investigate the themes of fear and anger, such as that of the first steps on their own.

The festival will also be an opportunity to remember and celebrate Iela Mari, a teacher who, like Bruno Munari and Leo Lionni, defined the way of thinking and designing the illustrated book in Italy over the last century. Ten years after her death, and fifty years after the publication of her first book, the exhibition set up in the Spazio Murat, curated by SOUx, will bring together the most iconic illustrations of the author's work.