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Catalan letters in Mexico: Barcelona illuminates the FIL Guadalajara
The Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) is the most important literary event in the Spanish-speaking world and has become the second largest in the world, behind the Frankfurt Book Fair. From November 29th to December 7th, it will become a literary epicenter, with Barcelona present through a powerful cultural program, in addition to the participation of Bonart together with the Association of Cultural Magazines of Spain (ARCE).
Bonart will participate in the 39th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair.
Barcelona will serve as the guest of honor at this new edition, with 60 authors participating in an extensive literary program, in addition to a broad selection of music, visual and performing arts, and gastronomy.
The Guadalajara International Book Fair brings together more than 2,000 publishers from over fifty countries, attracting nearly one million visitors in recent years. Among its objectives, the Guadalajara International Book Fair serves as a commercial platform for literary agents, publishers, distributors, and writers, in addition to introducing the world of books to a broad audience.
In 2024, Spain was the guest of honor, with Barcelona taking over at this cultural landmark. This 39th edition coincides with the tenth anniversary of Barcelona's recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature. Jaume Collboni mentioned all the ties between the Catalan city and Mexico, and specifically Guadalajara. The mayor emphasized the importance of Barcelona's participation, given that "it's a fair where, typically, it's not cities that are the guests, but countries or continents."
The Barcelona pavilion will be located in the main hall of the fairgrounds in a 1,183-square-meter space designed for conversation, dialogue, and reading. It will feature a bookstore and its own auditorium for 120 people, where part of the literary and professional program will be held. The pavilion will also participate in key areas of the Fair, such as the Science and Thought FIL (Fil of Science and Thought), with proposals coordinated by the Directorate of Science and Universities of the Barcelona City Council and the CCCB (Certified University of Barcelona).
A total of 69 authors will travel to Mexico with the Barcelona delegation, including ambassadors Eduardo Mendoza and Joan Manuel Serrat, along with names such as Javier Cercas, Marta Orriols, and Anna Pazos, among others.
As for exhibitions created for the occasion, the first one will be " Los libros de Barcelona" (The Books of Barcelona ), which will trace the imprint left by design on the character of the books, collections, and stamps in the exhibition. The second offering will be "Vendrán las mujeres" (Women Will Come), which will offer a look at a century and a half of women writers' presence in the city. Along with these two exhibitions, there will be installations by Cabosanroque with elements by Mercè Rodoreda, Joan Brossa, and Àngel Guimerà, also linking the Guadalajara Fair with digital art offerings, adding performance art offerings with Sonoma, Jo, travesti, and La plaça del diamant.
