Venice Noir 2025 - save the dates!
Venice Noir is coming... save the dates. November 14-16 2025 in two of Venice's most extraordinary locations.
It's time to start shouting... after months of preparatory work, we can finally reveal Venice Noir 2025 – three days featuring stars from the world of Italian and international crime fiction, in some of the most stunning locations ever to house a book festival.... and all the main events are free!
Venice Noir 2025 will run from November 14 to 16, with Scotland's own Ian Rankin as our guest of honour, alongside the bestselling author of the Venetian Nathan Sutherland series, Philip Gwynne Jones, DV Bishop, author of the Cesare Aldo series, Anna Mazzola, winner of the CWA KAA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year, Essie Fox, Barbara Nadel and a host of others, including me too, where I'll be talking about this year's Venice novel with Arnold Clover, launching in October.
Venice Noir is partly in English, and partly in Italian. From the Italian crime world you can meet Carlo Lucarelli, Giancarlo De Cataldo, Massimo Carlotto, Venice's own Alberto Toso Fei among others. And there will be live translation screens so you can enjoy our panels regardless of language.
The first two days of the festival take place in the beautiful historical surroundings of the Ateneo Veneto, next to La Fenice opera house in the heart of San Marco. One of Venice's most important cultural institutions, it was established by Napoleonic decree as the Ateneo Veneto of Sciences, Literature and Arts. Fittingly for the venue for a crime festival, it was originally home to the a religious confraternity with the social welfare objectives, namely, to provide spiritual support to those sentenced to death by hanging, “Scuola dei Picai (the hanged)” or a “milder death” was derived. Its rich art collection includes works by Jacopo Palma il Giovane and Tintoretto among others.
On the Sunday we move to another extraordinary location, the Hotel Monaco on the Grand Canal in San Marco, just opposite Harry's Bar and next to the headquarters of the Biennale. This was once the notorious Palazzo Dandolo, built in 1638 as a place where the Venetian public retired for gambling, parties, and all the forms of entertainment for which the city was famous. There, Venice Noir will occupy the elegant Ridotto, the very room that hosted the legendary casino where Casanova, among others, worked the tables, and the ladies he found there. Overlooking the Bacino San Marco, the Ridotto will be where we house our closing events, and a final reception hosted by one of our sponsors, Select, makers of the one true bitter for a genuine Venetian spritz.
We think this is a pretty stunning lineup for the first year of our festival, and we're deeply grateful to all the people who've made this possible. The many sponsors you'll find listed below, and our colleagues at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate who, as our strategic partners, have kindly held our hand as we take out first baby steps. I've headed up the team putting together the international side of events, aided by Philip Gwynne Jones and Gregory Dowling. The CEO of Merchant of Venice, Marco Vidal, and his wife, Silvia Bandolin, of Venice's finest book store, Studium, along with our administrator Giacomo Brunoro have handled both the Italian programming and the logistics of the event on the ground. Grazie mille to you all.
And yes – that's not a typo. All our book panels at Venice Noir will be free. Just turn up and you're welcome. As our press release puts it below, Venice Noir believes in making literature accessible to everyone. All book events are free of charge, ensuring that both local and international audiences can participate in this celebration of crime writing. Whether you are an avid reader of thrillers or a curious newcomer, the festival welcomes you to indulge in the finest storytelling against the backdrop of Venice's timeless charm.
The final programme will be released in September. You can see the outline details of the event at www.venicenoir.com now. If you're at Harrogate, I will be there, along with Philip, Marco, Silvia and three of our authors, DV Bishop, Essie Fox and Barbara Nadel. So do say hello.
And please bear in mind... there's more to come in November. Sign up to our occasional newsletter at info@venicenoir.com to hear the news as it happens.
Here's the official press release.
Venice Noir: Where crime meets culture, and stories come alive: iconic Venetian Venues Host Three-Day Literary Festival (14th - 16th November 2025).
VENICE NOIR: A CELEBRATION ON INTERNATIONAL CRIME WRITING
Venice 07/07/2025 - Venice is set to become the capital of intrigue as it welcomes Venice Noir, a new literary festival dedicated to the best in international crime writing. From November 14 to 16, the world's most iconic city will host this thrilling event in some of its most historic and atmospheric locations.
A Festival of Crime and Culture
Venice Noir promises to be a feast for lovers of crime fiction, blending the genre's sharp storytelling with the timeless allure of Venice. Over the course of three days, renowned authors will come together to explore the art and craft of crime writing, all in the shadow of Venetian history and mystery. Among the literary luminaries attending are Scotland's celebrated crime novelist lan Rankin and Italy's distinguished writer Massimo Carlotto, whose works have captivated readers worldwide.
«Venice Noir is more than a literary festival; it is a celebration of one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, an experience we trust readers and writers alike will never forget», said David Hewson, author of seven novels set in the city, and director of the international arm of the festival. «We’ll bring together some of the brightest talents from the world of crime fiction and host our events in two historic venues few visitors ever see, the Ateneo Veneto, next to La Fenice Opera House, and the casino once frequented by Casanova, in the Hotel Monaco overlooking the Bacino San Marco. Our goal is to make Venice Noir an annual fixture in the busy cultural calendar of Venice, One that readers can enjoy for free thanks to the generous sponsorship of so many great Venetian institutions. Save the dates!».
Numerous authors will be attending the festival: Barbara Barladi, DV Bishop, Tom Benjamin, John Bleasdale, Massimo Carlotto, Giancarlo De Cataldo, Gregory Dowling, Alberto Toso Fei, Essie Fox, Philip Gwynne Jones, David Hewson, Lisa Hilton, Erin Kelly, Carlo Lucarelli, Anna Mazzola, Andrea Molesini, Barbara Nadel, Ian Rankin, Marco Steiner, and many others.
Venice Noir has already received a prestigious recognition: a partnership with the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate (England), the most important European event dedicated to crime fiction.
VENICE NOIR was born from the idea of David Hewson, Philip Gwynne Jones, and Gregory Dowling, three British authors who have chosen Venice as their adopted home. Joining them are Silvia Bandolin, manager of the historic Libreria Studium in Venice, and Marco Vidal, a Venetian entrepreneur and CEO of The Merchant of Venice—a company deeply rooted in the city and committed for years to promoting a vision of Venice far removed from clichés.
"As Libreria Studium, we are delighted to launch the first true edition of this literary festival dedicated to noir, thriller, and mystery fiction in our city—long a source of inspiration for the genre thanks to its unique atmosphere," said Silvia Bandolin. "Drawing on our experience as an international bookshop, we believe in a festival capable of welcoming both Italian and international audiences, one that introduces local readers to authors yet to be translated, and vice versa."
Thanks to their vision, several key institutions and organizations immediately rallied around the project, including the Veneto Region, Veneto Film Commission, Confindustria Veneto Est, Ateneo Veneto, the cultural association SUGARPULP, Mavive Spa, Hotel Monaco, Ca’ di Dio, Ca’ Pisani, Palazzina Hotel Experimental JW Marriott Venezia, Barovier & Toso, Select, and the Venetian Gondoliers Association.
"The Venice Noir literary festival launches with the ambition of becoming an international reference point for the crime and noir genre," says Marco Vidal. "With a distinguished scientific committee, the support of forward-thinking institutions and businesses from the region, and, above all, the unique backdrop of the city of Venice, even in its first edition the festival aims to become an unmissable event for crime fiction lovers from around the world."
Free Admission for All
Venice Noir believes in making literature accessible to everyone. All book events are free of charge, ensuring that both local and international audiences can participate in this celebration of crime writing. Whether you are an avid reader of thrillers or a curious newcomer, the festival welcomes you to indulge in the finest storytelling against the backdrop of Venice's timeless charm.
Languages and Accessibility
In keeping with Venice's multicultural essence, the festival will take place in both Italian and English, providing an inclusive platform for diverse audiences to engage with the genre. With discussions ranging from the intricate mechanics of crime narratives to the global themes that unite writers and readers alike, Venice Noir promises intellectual stimulation for all.
Save the dates
Prepare for three unforgettable days of literary intrigue in the heart of Venice. Mark your calendars for November 14 to 16, and step into a world where every story unravels like a mystery waiting to be solved. More details, including event schedules and author appearances, will be announced shortly.
Venice Noir: Where crime meets culture, and stories come alive.
VENICE NOIR is an event organized by Libreria Studium, The Merchant of Venice Srl, and SUGARPULP, under the patronage of the Veneto Region, the Veneto Film Commission Foundation, Confindustria Veneto Est, and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, with the collaboration and support of Ateneo Veneto, Hotel Monaco, Ca’ Pisani, Ca’ di Dio, JW Marriott Venice, Hotel Il Palazzo Experimental, Select Barovier & Toso, Select, and the Association of Venetian Gondoliers.
INFO
Libreria Studium SUGARPULP
Silvia Bandolin Giacomo Brunoro
+39 041 522 2382 +39 3921267822
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