In celebration of UK being the guest of honour at this year’s fair in Athens, the British Council arranged a series of talks, workshops and performances aimed at engaging young people in reading. Carnegie book medal nominees Kevin Brooks, Theresa Breslin, Keith Gray and Celia Rees amongst others took part in sessions that gave young Greek readers the chance to meet the authors of their favourite books as well as take part in interactive workshops aimed at engaging them further in the world of books and reading for pleasure.

As well as presenting UK writers, the programme also reflected the widening range of mediums in literature including illustration workshops hosted by Manga illustrator Sonia Leong, storytelling sessions with Michael Harvey and poetry performances with poetry ‘boy band’ Aisle 16.   There were also a series of panel discussions led by Chris Meade from Institute for the Future of the Book looking at the challenges in reaching a teen-audience and the impact of digital media on reading.