What is ALDUS
Aldus (named after 15th century’s humanist and innovative publisher Aldo Manuzio) is the European Book Fairs’ network, aimed at fostering the internationalization of publishing companies, rights exchange for translations and training opportunities for book professionals, with a focus on the digital shift.
The network
Aldus network originates from a consortium made of the two leading B2B International book fairs (Frankfurt and Bologna) and a rich variety of national book fairs (Rome, Vilnius, Riga, Lisbon and Bucharest). Starting from this kernel, the network has been continuously growing to become fully pan-European and, after one year and half, it already involves 16 European book fairs.
New engaging events
Book fairs are an important occasion for building capacities through professional and cultural programmes, especially in the area of internationalisation, translations, digital shift and audience development. By experimenting with new event formats, more interactive and engaging, Aldus supports book fairs to innovate their programmes, finding new ways to engage their audience.
A community of peers
Aldus is an online community for book professionals (http://www.aldusnet.eu/community/). It allows publishers, translators, literary agents and other book professionals to profile themselves and network with international peers through social networks, sharing ideas and finding new partnership opportunities.
The Knowledge Hub
Aldus is an online Knowledge Hub (www.aldusnet.eu) featuring in depth resources and training materials for book professionals and providing networking tools to enhance peer to peer knowledge sharing among participants and the development of professional and social relations. Registered users have access to premium content on the Aldus Knowledge Hub and can subscribe to the Aldus newsletter to stay apprised of events and news.
The European project
Aldus (June 2016 – Sept. 2019) is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme. The partnership includes AIE (Italian Publishers Association – Coordinator) international book fairs (Frankfurt and Bologna), national fairs (Rome, Vilnius, Riga, Lisbon and Bucharest) and the European umbrella organisations of authors (EWC) and publishers (FEP), representing the European Union Prize for Literature.
Aldus Up builds upon the successful experience of Aldus, the European Book Fairs network promoting the internationalization of the book sector and the innovation of book fairs formats.
Aldus Up will develop studies, surveys and initiatives addressing core topics for the book sector: trends and promotion of translations in Europe, changes in reading habits – with particular attention to the impact of digitisation – innovation for books and reading promotion, new models for book fairs to develop and engage with their audience, foster transnational mobility of book professionals and increase inclusivity for specific target groups, in particular visually impaired people, linguistic minorities and migrants.
Publications and information resources developed by Aldus Up will be presented in dedicated events hosted by European book fairs and made available online in form of articles, in-depth analyses and studies on the Aldus Up knowledge platform K-HUB, including some exclusive content for members of the Aldus Community.
The European Book Fairs network launched by Aldus and featuring both international and national manifestations, either oriented to the professional audience or to the general audience of readers will continue to grow during Aldus Up –contact us if your book fair is interested to join!
Aldus Up-Building Bridges in the Book World – is a large-scale cooperation project co-funded in the framework of Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020 coordinated by the Italian Publishers Association (AIE).
In line with the richness and variety of the European book sector, the Aldus up partnership features both international and domestic book-fairs, national and European publishers’ associations and organizations with consolidated know-how and experiences in the areas of activities addressed by the project.
FEP is the leader of the work package dedicated to dissemination and exploitation of project results, for which it will rely on its publisher associations network, its links with other European associations representing the cultural and creative industries, and its specific experience in leading dissemination in other European projects. FEP will contribute to the surveys to be carried out within the projects and organise Aldus Up sessions in its institutional meetings. FEP will also continue building synergies with the European Union Prize for Literature.