I studied Languages and Literatures and hold a Master’s in Publishing. With a strong interest in culture and literature, I developed the project “Ponti di Carta”, an Italian bookshop and cultural centre in Madrid that promotes dialogue through books, events and community activities. To learn how to turn this idea into a sustainable business, I joined EYE after hearing about it from a friend who had already participated. I was then matched with my host, an Italian-Catalan bookseller with a background in literary studies, who opened her Italian bookshop in Barcelona almost six years ago. Working with would allow me to explore the Spanish market, understand this niche sector and follow the daily management of a cultural business. I expected to gain practical knowledge on distribution, event planning and bookshop organisation, as well as guidance and inspiration.
During my exchange at La Piccola in Barcelona, I worked on both daily operations and marketing activities. I focused on improving the bookshop’s online presence by planning social media content, creating posters and visuals and supporting communication for events and book presentations. Together with my host, I helped organise cultural activities such as reading sessions and presentations, including “Vespertina”, where we discussed Italian poetry with a Catalan audience, and the Sant Jordi celebration, setting up a stall and promoting Italian titles. I also assisted with the promotion of a more recent presentation by designing visuals and managing the social media campaign. In addition, I supported customer service, stock management and book display curation. This experience gave me practical insight into running a niche cultural business abroad, combining creative communication with everyday bookshop management.
During my exchange, I strengthened my professional skills and contributed to the bookshop’s visibility. I helped increase social media engagement by creating a regular posting plan, uploading more content on Instagram and Facebook and introducing new formats such as event highlights and author features. This led to more followers and interactions, reinforcing the connection with both Italian and Catalan communities. I also supported the organisation and promotion of cultural events, designing posters and digital materials to attract a wider audience and seeing how events can boost sales and visibility. On the operational side, I improved my understanding of inventory management, customer service in a multilingual context and the curation of book selections based on readers’ interests and seasonal trends.
This experience taught me that an Italian bookshop in a foreign country is much more than a place that sells books: it is a community, a voice and a bridge between cultures.