The fifth edition of Babelica, an online international fair dedicated to independent publishing, will be held on September 21 and 22, 2026, organized by the International Alliance of Independent Publishing. This year’s event will spotlight 30 young authors and writers under the age of 30, each from a different country. Their works will explore a range of themes, including repression, exile, war, nature and spirituality, the transmission of culture, the body and gender, the decolonization of imagination, and artificial intelligence. These texts will be featured in a special issue of the magazine Bibliodiversité, created in collaboration with the publishers Double punctuation. The event aims to highlight the concerns, struggles, dreams and hopes of a new generation of writers from around the world. On September 21, the program will focus on resistance against repression, with participants from Malaysia, India, Mozambique and Turkey. Later that day, discussions will address exile and the challenges of reconstructing one’s identity across different cultures. A session will also explore how individuals can project themselves into societies affected by war, followed by a panel on nature and spirituality as sources of hope and resilience. On September 22, the focus will shift to transmission and adaptation, with support from the International Association of Francophone Booksellers. Sessions will then address topics such as the body and gender, the decolonization of imagination, and the role of literature in shaping new perspectives. The day will end with a session on artificial intelligence, examining its potential as both a dream and a nightmare. Publishers, editors, booksellers and the young authors will participate in these discussions, with readings in multiple languages scheduled throughout the event. Two rights markets will be held on September 22, one for children's literature and the other for literature and the social sciences. All events will be streamed live on the Babelica platform and will remain available afterward. Starting September 18, the selection of books for the 2026 edition will be revealed in the "Books" section of the Babelica platform. According to organizers, the selection includes titles from 170 publishing houses across 60 countries, aiming to highlight the diversity of independent publishing and support bibliodiversity. All events will be accessible live, with recordings available on the platform after their broadcast. Other literary events in 2026 include the 11th Nights of Reading, organized by the National Book Center (CNL), which will take place from January 20 to 24, 2027, with the theme "Childhood." From October 10 to 24, 2026, the festival Together in Bookstore! will take place in over 70 independent bookstores in Occitanie, focusing on the theme "Resistances." The 36th edition of the Review Fair will be held from October 2 to 4, 2026, at the Halle des Blancs-Manteaux, featuring more than 200 exhibitors and over 30 discussions on literature, poetry, ideas, and contemporary creative trends. Entry is free. The Read Free! event will take place from September 18 to 20, 2026, in Paris, with over 100 publishing houses participating in meetings, readings, and discussions on the theme of independence. Other events include Read & Shine 2026, themed "Memories for the Tomorrows," which will be held on September 19, 2026, at the Gaîté Lyrique in Paris. Aventuriales 2026 will feature a new lineup of imaginative voices, including guest of honor Ian McDonald, exploring the intersections of science fiction, fantasy, romance, and uchronia. The International Geography Festival 2026 will return to Saint-Dié-des-Vosges from October 2 to 4, 2026, under the theme "landscape," with Bulgaria and Romania as countries of honor. The Brive Book Fair will be held from November 6 to 8, 2026, and the 44th edition will offer a comprehensive overview of editorial news. The Book on the Quays 2026 will take place in Morges from September 4 to 6, 2026, with a focus on storytelling and literature without borders. The Gribouillis Festival 2026 in Bordeaux will feature 80 authors and 60 publishing houses from September 10 to 13, while the Lectures festival in Haut-Quercy will return from September 11 to 13 with readings and author meetings. StoryHeaven, a new festival dedicated to romance, fantasy, and romantasy, will be held in Brussels on September 5 and 6.