As autumn sun warms the olive groves around Nicosia, book lovers flock to the island’s capital for a weekend of words, wonder, and warm connections. The Nicosia Book Fest (10th Edition) celebrates a decade of sparking imaginations through literature, blending Cypriot tales with global stories in a lively outdoor gathering. Set for October 10 to 12, 2025, at Acropolis Park in Strovolos, this free festival invites readers of all ages to wander stalls, join talks, and discover new favorites under clear Mediterranean skies. Organized by the Promitheas Research Institute since 2016, it honors the power of books to build bridges in a divided city, creating a space where stories unite people across cultures and generations.
A Celebration of Literature and Community
From its humble start in June 2016 as a push to boost reading in Cypriot society, the Nicosia Book Fest has blossomed into Cyprus’s top literary event, drawing over 15,000 visitors each year. Backed by the Press and Information Office, Youth Board of Cyprus, and Strovolos Municipality, it connects authors with eager audiences in a joyful, open-air setting that prizes discovery over sales. The 2025 edition, marking ten years, promises a fresh chapter with a renewed Program Committee led by writer Costas Lymbouris, featuring experts in literature and education.
Last year’s 9th edition in October 2024 ended on a high note, wrapping up with crowds lingering at Acropolis Park for a final Latin American-themed panel that sparked lively debates on magical realism. Families shared laughs during kids’ crafts, and the closing musical tribute left everyone humming, proving once more how the fest weaves education, entertainment, and empathy into every page turned. For 2025, held over three full days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., it builds on that magic, expecting even more to join in honoring French literature as the guest of honor, while keeping its roots in Cypriot voices.
Set amid the park’s green lawns and shady trees, the festival feels like a giant open book, with no gates or fees, just paths lined with tents and stages that invite slow strolls and sudden inspirations.
The Site: Acropolis Park’s Open Pages and Shady Groves
Nestled in Strovolos just outside Nicosia’s bustling center, Acropolis Park transforms into a literary wonderland for the fest, its wide fields and winding paths perfect for bookish adventures. The main area buzzes with over 50 stalls from publishers, bookstores, universities, and libraries, spread across grassy expanses where visitors can browse under rustling leaves. The Literary Stage anchors the heart, a simple platform framed by palms, hosting talks and readings with views of kids playing nearby.
Smaller spots like the Children’s Stage and Performance Stage, tucked near playgrounds and picnic areas, add charm with their cozy setups, often circled by families on blankets. The opening on October 10 kicks off at 7 p.m. in the park’s evocative “Cave” hall, a stone-walled venue that echoes with French tributes. Guests roam freely, grabbing halloumi wraps from food stalls or joining a treasure hunt that snakes through the grounds. The layout sparks serendipity, with benches for quiet reads and shaded oaks for chance chats, all bathed in October’s golden light, making the park feel like an extension of the stories unfolding.
A Line-up of Voices from Cyprus and Beyond
The Nicosia Book Fest glows with its mix of local gems and international sparks, curated to ignite curiosity across genres. For 2025, the roster spotlights French literature with book launches, author meet-and-greets, and panels on classics like Victor Hugo alongside modern voices. Expect Cypriot stars like Costas Lymbouris sharing new works, plus emerging poets from the island’s divided communities, reflecting themes of unity and memory.
Past years shone with Latin American flair in 2024, featuring talks on Gabriel García Márquez that drew standing-room crowds, and children’s sessions with interactive storytelling from Brazil. The 2025 program adds a musical-poetic tribute to beloved Cypriot writer Pavlos Liasides, blending verse with strings under the stars. Workshops on writing for youth, illustration classes, and open calls for stage proposals ensure fresh faces join veterans. It’s a thoughtful blend, from thrillers to picture books, with something for every reader, fostering bonds between creators and fans in ways that linger long after the last page.
Days and Nights of Tales and Tunes
The festival’s flow starts bright on October 10 with the evening opener in the Cave hall, where French-inspired readings set a poetic tone amid twinkling lights. Mornings on the 11th and 12th hum with energy, as families arrive for children’s shows, think puppet tales or drawing sessions that turn little hands into artists. By noon, the Literary Stage hosts panel discussions on everything from eco-fiction to memoir, with authors signing books right after, the air filled with coffee scents and excited whispers.
Afternoons ease into fun, with treasure hunts leading kids through clue-filled stalls and sports games twisted into literary quests. Food areas offer souvlaki, fresh juices, and vegan bites from local vendors, perfect for picnics while eavesdropping on poetry slams. As sun dips, evenings come alive with performances, the Pavlos Liasides tribute weaving music and words into a heartfelt close on Sunday. Nights end softly, with late book swaps and acoustic sets echoing across the park, the vibe communal and calm, no rush, just the gentle rustle of pages in the breeze.
A Festival Built on Shared Stories and Growth
The Nicosia Book Fest treasures more than titles, it nurtures a love for learning and links between people. Panels dive into literacy’s role in healing Cyprus’s divides, while eco-practices like reusable cups and local sourcing keep things green. The event boosts the economy by spotlighting island publishers and ties into school programs, inspiring young readers through free activities that blend fun with insight.
Last year’s wrap-up saw joyful tears at a youth writing showcase, where kids read pieces born from workshops, ending with promises of more tours like the 2025 summer pop-ups that spread poetry to villages. Awarded the European EFFE Label for arts engagement, it promotes openness, with open calls ensuring diverse voices from Cyprus and abroad. The schedule mixes structure with space for wander, turning three days into a tapestry of ideas and friendships that ripple outward.
Planning Your Visit
Jumping in is simple and cost-free, with all events open to all, no tickets needed, though downloading the Eventorio app helps track the agenda and maps. Fly into Larnaca Airport, a quick 45-minute drive to Nicosia, or take buses from the capital’s center. For stays, choose family-run guesthouses in Strovolos or trendy spots in old Nicosia, many with book nooks for extra charm.
Pack sunscreen for sunny days, comfy shoes for park paths, and a tote for hauls from the book market. Families love the kids’ zones, while solos can join volunteer shifts for behind-scenes fun. Arrive early on weekends to snag shaded seats, and check nicosiabookfest.com for updates, as the open call for proposals closes soon.
Why Nicosia Book Fest Stands Out
In a fast-scroll world, this fest feels like a deep breath, a haven where books reclaim center stage without ads or agendas. No velvet ropes or high prices, just tents, trees, and talks that treat every visitor as a storyteller. It’s where a quiet browse might lead to a life-changing chat, or a child’s drawing sparks family lore.
What makes it special is its heart, bridging Cyprus’s past and future through words, proving literature can heal and hype in equal measure. Attendees leave with arms full and minds buzzing, reminded that stories are the real treasure.
Explore the Surroundings
When not lost in lines, Nicosia’s layers beckon. Wander the green line’s peace trail for history’s quiet lessons, or climb to Shacolas Tower for city views that inspire. Markets brim with honeyed loukoumades and artisan journals, while nearby beaches offer sunset reads by the sea.
Day trips to ancient Kourion’s ruins or Lefkara’s lace villages add poetic depth, echoing the fest’s themes of time and tale. These jaunts enrich the escape, blending bookish bliss with Cyprus’s sun-kissed soul.
Nicosia Book Fest (10th Edition) 2025 offers more than events, it delivers a love letter to reading. With its sunny park, stirring stages, and shared stories under olive boughs, it calls you to turn pages, spark chats, and carry the island’s literary light homeward, long after the stalls fold away.
Follow Nicosia Book Fest online for updates on agendas, author announcements, activities, and travel tips: Instagram: @nicosiabookfestival