Europa Editions, a U.S. publisher known its focus on literature in translation, is partnering to open an English-language bookstore in Rome. The new bookstore comes about through a partnership between Europa and its parent company, the Italian publisher Edizioni E/O, and the Italian independent bookstore Altroquando.
The new store, named Otherwise, will be adjacent to Altroquando's existing storefront, and will be approximately 860-square-feet. It will stock between 5,000-10,000 titles from North America.
In addition to selling books, Altroquando is a popular venue for music and film screenings. The store has gallery space, and is also known for its craft beer selection.
Rachel Small, a publicist for Europa, said the managers of Altroquando will leverage their experience in event planning to turn Otherwise into "a center for cultural events and a meeting place for the English-speaking community in Rome and for visitors to the city."
Otherwise will open on November 21, with a launch party set for November 30. Events are already scheduled for the store, including a reception on December 7, for publishers Edizioni E/O and Sur, during Più Libri Più Liberi, the annual Italian book fair for small and mid-size publishers. In January, the store will host Ann Goldstein, the English translator of Elena Ferrante. (Europa publishes Ferrante in the U.S.)
The new store will join several other English-language bookstores in Rome, including the Almost Corner Bookshop, Anglo-American Bookstore, and Open Door Bookshop.
