Organizer Information
Athens Art Book Fair (AABF) is an independent, artist-run initiative dedicated to contemporary artist publishing and experimental printed matter. Organized by a volunteer-based collective of local artists, the fair has become one of the leading platforms in the Eastern Mediterranean region for artist books, zines, independent publishing, and interdisciplinary print practices.
The fair brings together artists, photographers, designers, publishers, magazines, bookshops, archives, and cultural institutions from Greece and abroad, creating a collaborative environment focused on publishing as an artistic medium. AABF is particularly interested in supporting publishing practices emerging from cultural peripheries, including the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
The 2026 edition marks the seventh iteration of the fair and continues AABF’s commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and equitable participation through its sliding-scale fee structure and curated exhibitor selection process.
Title & Description
AABF Open Call 2026 – Athens Art Book Fair
Athens Art Book Fair 2026 invites artists, zinesters, photographers, designers, independent publishers, magazines, archives, libraries, bookshops, galleries, and institutions to apply for participation in its 2026 edition.
Taking place from September 25–27, 2026, the fair will be hosted at the Public Tobacco Factory in Athens, a historic industrial building currently housing the Hellenic Parliament Library. The venue is fully accessible and serves as a major cultural hub for contemporary publishing and independent artistic production.
AABF is focused on publishing as an artistic practice and seeks participants working with artist books, zines, printed matter, experimental publishing, independent magazines, photography publications, digital publications, and hybrid editorial formats. The fair prioritizes practitioners who are actively engaged in publishing as a medium and encourages submissions from geographically underrepresented regions and cultural peripheries.
The event combines exhibition, networking, artist-led presentation, publication exchange, and direct audience engagement. Exhibitors manage their own tables, publications, and sales during the fair while connecting with an international network of artists and publishing professionals.
Alongside the exhibitor program, AABF also hosts a curated Collective Display, a special exhibition format for artists and projects with a single publication, digital publication, or limited publishing experience. This exhibition-based presentation allows selected publications to be showcased within a read-only display accompanied by QR codes for direct online purchase.
Categories
- Artist Books
- Zines
- Publishing
- Photography
- Graphic Design
- Independent Magazines
- Print Media
- Visual Arts
- Paper-based Art
- Illustration
- Digital Publishing
- Experimental Publishing
- Artist Publishing
- Archives & Libraries
- Multimedia Publishing
- Interdisciplinary Practices
Eligibility
The open call is international and open to:
- Artists
- Zinesters
- Independent publishers
- Photographers
- Designers
- Magazines
- Bookshops
- Libraries
- Archives
- Galleries
- Institutions
- Publishing collectives
- Digital publishing practitioners
Applicants should have an active publishing practice and preferably more than one publication already realized.
AABF particularly welcomes:
- Independent publishing projects
- Emerging publishing practitioners
- Artists from the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean
- Experimental and interdisciplinary publishing initiatives
- Participants from culturally underrepresented regions
Applicants with only one publication are not eligible for a table but may apply for the Collective Display section.
Digital publications are also eligible and actively encouraged for the Collective Display.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition table at the Athens Art Book Fair 2026
- Opportunity to present and sell publications directly to audiences
- International visibility within the artist publishing community
- Networking opportunities with publishers, artists, curators, and institutions
- Participation in one of Europe’s growing independent art book fairs
- Access to an international audience of collectors and publishing professionals
- Inclusion in a curated cultural event focused on contemporary publishing
Participants in the Collective Display program will benefit from:
- Free participation
- Exhibition exposure within a curated display
- QR-code enabled online sales opportunities
- Possibility of inclusion in the AABF library collection for future exhibitions
Application Fee
Participation fees operate on a sliding-scale model designed to support equitable access and prioritize artist-led publishing initiatives.
- Artist / Zinester: €80–120
- Small Press / Publisher / Magazine: €120–200
- Bookshops: €150–250
- Institutions / Commercial Galleries: €500–1500
All table sizes are identical regardless of fee category.
Participation in the Collective Display is free of charge.
Applicants should note that publications submitted internationally for the Collective Display may not be returned by post.
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the official application form and provide information about their publishing practice.
Typical requirements include:
- Personal and professional information
- Description of publishing practice
- Portfolio of publications
- Images or documentation of previous works
- Publication details
- Website or social media links
- Contact information
Applicants for the Collective Display must submit the dedicated application form and physically send their publication to the organizers.
Only completed and already materialized publications are eligible. Publication proposals or unfinished projects are not accepted.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
- Notification Period: Within two months after the open call closes
- Event Dates: September 25–27, 2026
Location
Public Tobacco Factory, Athens, Greece
Additional Details
AABF is a curated fair with limited exhibitor capacity. Approximately 100 exhibitors are selected for each edition through a review process conducted by the organizing team and guest judges from Greece’s publishing community.
Returning exhibitors from countries with high application numbers, including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, and France, may be rotated in order to prioritize new projects and participants.
All exhibitors with tables are required to attend the fair in person and are responsible for managing their own publications, sales, and receipts during the event.
The Collective Display is designed for:
- Artists at the beginning of their publishing practice
- Single-publication projects
- Artists unable to attend physically
- Digital publications
- Out-of-print or inactive publishing initiatives
- Artists wishing to exhibit without maintaining a table
The fair emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainable community-building within independent publishing culture.