In the “Kingdom of Books” there is the chance to meet both interested visitors and industry operators, eager to exchange ideas and to establish new contacts. This will be the aim of 26 Italian companies, selected from amongst the best, who are due to take part in the London Book Fair, from April 11^th to 13^th. This event is recognized as one of the world’s most important for the exchange of rights within the publishing business. The Italian Trade Commission, together with two associations for the sector, AIE (the Italian Publishers’ Association) and Ediser, is responsible for coordinating the Italian contingent, and has taken care to think of everything. For the 2011 event, Italy is to have its own dedicated pavilion, exhibiting a vast assortment of different publications: from books illustrating the development of photography in the 19^th and 20^th centuries to writings on history and tradition, or from children’s stories to scientific publications.

In short, there will be a real embarrassment of choice. For art-lovers, a tour around the Italian pavilion is a must, to buy volumes showing the work of Italy’s most famous artists. Photography enthusiasts too will find many interesting publications, featuring both contemporary and past masters of this art. These editions have been produced using special printing techniques and high quality paper, to enhance the colour and sharpness of the images. There will be a huge number of new publications on offer: related to Italian culture, sociology and, above all, history; as well as scientific and medical texts. Many books for children will be on display: from rag picture-books for the very young to literary classics for teenagers.

The publishing industry in the United Kingdom is the second largest in Europe, with a turnover of about £18 million, and more than 8,000 businesses employing about 164,000 people. In 2009 the total value of exports came to £2.74 billion, and at the same time Britain also imported publishing products to the tune of £1.61 billion. In addition, the book market in the UK is one of the most dynamic in terms of new titles and editions. An event like the London Book Fair is therefore the ideal shop-window for presenting new additions to the publishing catalogue, to attract the attention of visitors looking for something a little special. The objective, as always, is to create a fertile environment for doing new business. There is some catching-up to do too after last year’s fair, when many exhibitors were unable to fly to London because of the disruption to air traffic caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. The 2011 edition, therefore, has all the special flavour of a reunion and a renewed desire to meet up again after an absence of two years. There will be plenty of scope for imagination and room for quality at an event sure to be full of surprises and interesting discoveries. To borrow a phrase from John Ruskin: it does not matter whether you are in search of books “for now” or books “for always”, you will find them both here.