/ The professional programme in PDF (1,4 MB)
Conference, Friday, November 21
09:00-20:30, Carob Mills, Limassol
Simultaneous interpretation: English Greek
08:00-09:00
Registration and reception
Register online. Free admission. Registration will be open throughout the day.
09:00-09:15
Welcome remarks
- Haris Ioannides, Co-founder, Limassol International Book Fair; publisher, Armida Books; Board member, Cyprus Publishers Association
- Michalis Kalamaras, Co-curator, Limassol International Book Fair Conference; publishing consultant, Thinking; founder, eAnagnostis.gr
09:15-13:00
On Libraries
Co-organised with Cyprus Association of Librarians – Information Scientists (CALIS), Knowledge Rights 21 and University of Nicosia Library
Welcome remarks: Theodora Petrou, President, Cyprus Association of Librarians – Information Scientists (CALIS); Librarian, University of Cyprus Library
09:15-10:15
The updated Strategic Development Plan for the Cyprus Library
- The new priorities of the Strategic Development Plan for the Cyprus Library
- The status of the planning for the Cyprus Library
- The role of National Libraries today: an international perspective
Talk
- Strategic Development Plan for the Cyprus Library 2025” – Andreas K. Andreou (Kapandreou), Ηead of the Library's Information Systems and Technologies Department, University of Cyprus Library; Member of the Advisory Committee of the Cyprus Library
Panel discussion
- George Hadjigeorgiou, Deputy Director, Cyprus Library
- Fotini Tsiridou, Member of Parliament, Deputy Chairperson, Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Public Order, House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus
- Elena Diomide-Parpouna, Director, University of Cyprus Library
- Andreas K. Andreou (Kapandreou), Ηead of the Library's Information Systems and Technologies Department, University of Cyprus Library; Member of the Advisory Committee of the Cyprus Library
- Moderator: Giorgos Savvinidis, Journalist
10:15-11:15
Ebooks in Greek and the libraries
- The ebook market in Greek
- Ebooks lending (e-lending) by the libraries
- The opportunity for the libraries to contribute to digital reading adoption
Talk
- “Ebooks in Greek and e-lending by the libraries” – Michalis Kalamaras, Co-curator, Limassol International Book Fair Conference; publishing consultant, Thinking; founder, eAnagnostis.gr
Panel discussion
- George Glossiotis, Librarian; National Coordinator in Greece and Cyprus, Knowledge Rights 21
- Michalis Kalamaras, Co-curator, Limassol International Book Fair Conference; publishing consultant, Thinking; founder, eAnagnostis.gr
- Marios Zervas, Director, Cyprus University of Technology Library
- Dr. Giorgos D. Vrakas, Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Law, University of Cyprus
- Moderator: Eleni Singou, Senior Collection Management and Development Librarian, University of Nicosia Library
11:15-11:45
Break
11:45-12:45
Research, scientific information and libraries in Europe and Cyprus
- Opportunities and challenges for the European Research Area (ERA)
- Access, acquisition and usage of scientific information
- Circulation of scientific knowledge across the European Union
- Copyright in the age of Artificial Intelligence
Talks
- “Barriers to research in Europe” – Stephen Wyber, Director, External Affairs, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Knowledge Rights 21
- “Research, scientific communication and copyright” – George Andrew Zannos, Managing Director, Greek Collecting Society for Literary Works (OSDEL)
- “Perceptions and attitudes of the Greek researchers about the access to and the reuse of scientific knowledge” – Giannis Tsakonas, Director, Library & Information Center, University of Patras; Vice President, Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER)
Moderator: Mina Charalambous, Director, University of Nicosia Library; Member, IFLA Regional Division Committee Europe
12:45-13:00
Award ceremony: “Cypriot Libraries”
In memory of Filippos Tsimpoglou (1956-2023), Director of University of Cyprus Library (1999-2014), General Director of National Library of Greece (2014-2023)
16:30-18:00
Parallel IFLA workshop – Stage 4
Let Libraries be Libraries: On advocacy for Libraries
Organised by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Working language: English
- Introduction to organisations IFLA, LIBER, Knowledge Rights 21
- Practical possibilities for achieving libraries’ goals
- Challenges by a lack of legal reform and side-effects of digital business models
- At the European level - what sort of reform could help provide stronger guarantees?
- At the national level - how can librarians and others mobilise?
Talks
- Stephen Wyber, Director, External Affairs, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Knowledge Rights 21
- Mina Charalambous, Director, University of Nicosia Library; Member, IFLA Regional Division Committee Europe
- Giannis Tsakonas, Director, Library & Information Center, University of Patras; Vice President, Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER)
- George Glossiotis, Librarian; National Coordinator in Greece and Cyprus, Knowledge Rights 21
13:00-14:00
Lunch break & networking
14:00-20:30
On Publishing and Bookselling
Welcome remarks: Elias Epiphaniou, President, Cyprus Publishers Association; Publisher, Elias Epiphaniou Publications
14:00-16:00
Children’s books: Publishing for versatility across ages and genres
Co-organised with Cyprus Association on Books for Young People (CYBBY), Cypriot section of IBBY
- Best practices for publishers and authors of children’s books
- Trends in children’s publishing in the international and Greek-speaking book markets
- From early childhood to teens and YA
Talks
- “International trends and foreign rights in children’s book publishing” – Mauro Spagnol, Director, literary agency Books Everywhere
- “Trends in French children’s books and comics” – Hélène Pasquet, Editorial Director Fiction and BD, Bayard Éditions; vice president, Children’s book group of the French Publishers Association (Syndicat national de l'édition - SNE)
- Lightning talk: “Production stats on the children’s books in Greek” – Mirella Batziania, Responsible for the content and management of the Books in Print database bookpoint.gr, Greek Collecting Society for Literary Works (OSDEL)
- “Children’s books for all ages and topics: the Greek speaking children’s book market and Metaichmio Publications” – Eleni Papageorgiou, publisher, Metaichmio Publications; Board member, Association of Greek Publishers and Booksellers - EN.EL.VI.
- “Publishing children’s books in Cyprus: The case of Sofita Publications” – Giorgos Savva, publisher, Sofita Publications; Board member, Cyprus Publishers Association
- “The way forward for children’s books in Cyprus” – Elena Perikleous, Commissioner for Children's Rights of the Republic of Cyprus; educator; author
Panel discussion with the speakers
- Moderator: Evi Triantafyllides, Founder & CEO, Worldwide Buddies
16:00-16:30
Break
16:30-18:00
AI and Book Publishing
Co-organised with Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, and Center for Social Innovation (CSI)
Talks
- "How Will Books Evolve in the Age of AI? Rethinking Knowledge, Imagination, and Creativity" – Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Republic of Cyprus; Chair of the National AI Taskforce; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)
- “Contextual Thinking Within Creativity Ecosystems: AI Ethics-led social innovation” – Demetris Hadjisofocli, CEO, Center for Social Innovation (CSI)
Keynote
- “Applying AI to publishing: Strategy, tools, ethics and stakeholder engagement” – Sara Lloyd, Group Communications Director & Global AI Lead, Pan Macmillan
Panel discussion with the speakers
- Moderator: Michalis Kalamaras, Co-curator, Limassol International Book Fair Conference; publishing consultant, Thinking; founder, eAnagnostis.gr
18:00-18:30
Break
18:30-20:30
Book translation in Europe and Cyprus today: Cultural bridges, growth opportunities and AI
Organised as part of the ThinkPub project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme
Talks
- “Introduction to European book translation market today: Trends, best practices, networks and grants” – Alexandra Büchler, Director, Literature Across Frontiers; Chair, Culture Reset; Board member, ENLIT - European Network for Literary Translation
- “How translators and publishers can benefit from AI tools” – Emily Diamandopoulou, Founder, Rhyme&Reason and RIMA Language_Tech_Culture
- Lightning talk: “Statistics on the production of books translated into Greek” – Mirella Batziania, Responsible for the content and management of the Books in Print database bookpoint.gr, Greek Collecting Society for Literary Works (OSDEL)
- “How can smaller publishers leverage translation to diversify their catalogues and advance reading culture” – Haris Ioannides, publisher, Armida Books; Board member, Cyprus Publishers Association; Co-founder, Limassol International Book Fair
- “How translators can help smaller European book markets today - and what they need to evolve their role” – Despina Pirketti, literary translator
Moderator: Alexandra Büchler, Director, Literature Across Frontiers; Chair, Culture Reset; Board member, ENLIT - European Network for Literary Translation
20:30
Cocktail reception & networking
Beaujolais Nouveau Night by the Alliance Française de Limassol
Free admission for Limassol International Book Fair Conference attendees.
Professional sessions, Saturday, November 22
10:00-17:30, Carob Mills, Limassol
11:00-12:00
Cyprus as a hub for culture and investment: From Eastern Mediterranean to Europe
Co-organised with Invest Cyprus - Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) and Creative Europe Europe Desk Cyprus, Organization for European Programmes and Cultural Relations (OEPCR)
Working language: English
B2B Space (Stage 5)
- Cultural ties and cultural exchanges between Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean
- The role of culture and publishing in the economy and investments
- Leading publishing initiatives and priorities in the Arab book markets
- Prospects for cooperation between the Arab and Cypriot publishing sectors
Panel discussion
- Marios Tannousis, CEO, Invest Cyprus - Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA)
- Ahmed Rashad, CEO, Al Dar Al Masriah Al Lubnaniah; Board Member, Egyptian Publishers Association; Executive Committee member, International Publishers Association (IPA)
- Lina Chebaro, Chief editor, Rights Director, Arab Scientific Publishers; Copyright Manager, Thaqafa for Publishing and Distribution
- Hanife İçten, Key Account Manager for English-Language World, Cyprus, Greece, Türkiye & Azerbaijan, Frankfurt Book Fair
- Moderator: Nenad Bogdanovic, Planning and Development Coordinator, Head of Creative Europe Desk Cyprus, Organization for European Programmes and Cultural Relations (OEPCR)
14:00-15:00
Ηumans and machines: AI and translators in a translation slam
Organised as part of the ThinkPub project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme
Stage 1
AI tools and human translators translate excerpts from fiction and non-fiction books and the results are compared and discussed by the speakers and the audience.
- Emily Diamandopoulou, Founder, Rhyme&Reason and RIMA Language_Tech_Culture
- Despina Pirketti, literary translator
- Moderator: Michalis Kalamaras, Co-curator, Limassol International Book Fair Conference; publishing consultant, Thinking; founder, eAnagnostis.gr
16:30-17:30
Pathways to translation: Translation as a cultural and business opportunity
Organised as part of the ThinkPub project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme
In memory of translator Irena Joannides (1964-2025)
Stage 1
- Translation as a means for intercultural dialogue
- Translation as a business strategy for publishers and authors
- Networking, capacity building and funding for translators and publishers
- The role of AI in book translation
Panel discussion
- Yiola Klitou, translator, conference interpreter, actress
- Theo Votsos, translator, cultural journalist
- Haris Ioannides, publisher, Armida Books; Board member, Cyprus Publishers Association; Co-founder, Limassol International Book Fair
- Nikos Nikas, publisher, Nikas Publishing
- Moderator: Alexandra Büchler, Director, Literature Across Frontiers; Chair, Culture Reset; Board member, ENLIT - European Network for Literary Translation