How can we strengthen reading culture in an increasingly digital world? What do artificial intelligence, ebooks and audiobooks mean for publishers, authors and readers? ThinkPub will explore these questions through a programme of seminars, discussions and professional exchanges at the 5th Limassol International Book Fair, taking place on 20–22 November 2026 at the Lanitis Carob Mills in Limassol, Cyprus.
Organised by the Limassol International Book Fair and Thinking, the fair’s international Professional Programme will bring together book professionals from Cyprus, Europe and the Arab world. Within this programme, ThinkPub will host two thematic seminars dedicated to reading in the digital age and emerging publishing technologies, alongside further discussions and networking opportunities.
The seminar “Reading Books in the Digital Age”, taking place on Friday, 20 November, will examine how libraries, educators, publishers and policymakers can help build a stronger reading culture. Combining perspectives from Cyprus with experiences from across Europe, the sessions will explore reading promotion, audience development, childhood reading and the steps needed to move from individual initiatives towards a coordinated national reading policy. Contributors include Miha Kovač of the University of Ljubljana, Luis González of Fundación Germán Sánchez Ruipérez and Christoph Bläsi of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, alongside representatives of Cypriot libraries, education and cultural organisations.
Running across Friday and Saturday, “The Tech Publishers Need Now: AI, Ebooks, Audiobooks” will address the practical opportunities and challenges of technological change. Topics will include AI in publishing and creative work, intellectual property, ebook accessibility, audiobook markets and production, digital storytelling and multilingual content. Speakers include Nadim Sadek, founder and CEO of Shimmr AI, Gautier Chomel of EDRLab and publishing consultant Carlo Carrenho. A concluding discussion will bring together Sadek, Kovač and author Maria A. Ioannou to consider the future of books, reading and publishing in the age of AI.
The ThinkPub programme will also include a conversation with Italian author and librarian Fabio Stassi on bibliotherapy and mental health on Saturday, 21 November. On Sunday, 22 November, Yiannos Georgiades will discuss AI, intellectual property and the future of creative work.
Opportunities for exchange will continue at Saturday’s B2B Space, where ThinkPub thematic tables on rights, reading and emerging technologies will connect participants with speakers and fellow professionals, encouraging new contacts and potential collaborations.
Admission is free, with registration required. English–Greek simultaneous interpretation will be available during Friday’s conference sessions, unless otherwise indicated; Saturday’s Professional Programme will take place in English.
Explore the full programme and practical information on the Limassol International Book Fair website.
ThinkPub is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.