Quetzaltenango’s intercultural park will be the stage of This holiday where dozens of Guatemalan writers will meetboth local and from other municipalities in the country.
This activity will take place from June 5 to 8, 2025. According to Manuel Rodas, Organizer of Filxela, It is estimated that more than 50 activities will be carried out during the four days of the fair.
The fair congregates different sectors involved in the literature: Writers, exhibitors, bookstores and publishers that converge to disseminate and promote literature, as well as literary creation.
In addition, there will be sale of books so that readers can acquire those who wish. As for the schedule, Rodas explained that on Thursday and Friday it will be 10 to 20 hours; On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day when the activity will be closed.
How does the fair arise?
This fair is independent of other literary initiatives, although it has the support of the Ministry of Cultureby means of the Guatemala editors union, who supported their realization.
According to Rodas, the first film emerged eight years ago. There are other initiatives in the country, such as those carried out in San Marcos, San Pedro Sacatepéquez, Mazatenango and Escuintla. On the part of Filgua, other fairs, such as the wind, in Retalhuleu, and another in Chimaltenango.
Among the international guests who will attend the event are Josué Andrez Moz (El Salvador), the Cultural Promoter Chari Gumta (Mexico), Alberto López Serrano (El Salvador) and Lidia Zaragoza (Mexico)storytelling that a special show will provide on Sunday, designed for all audiences, especially for the little ones. Likewise, there will be the presence of Fred Sagastume, Araceli Mazariegos and many other authors.
The slogan of 2025 will be: “Book for all.” The essence of the activity is to offer books for all kinds of readers. “We have a variety of books and activities, thinking about all tastes and ages,” says Rodas.
Fair participants
“More than 30 books will be presented in around 50 activities. This year there are more than 45 exhibitors; there will be diversity of literary proposals in terms of editorials and bookstores,” says Rodas.
According to the Guatemalan writer Tania Hernández, one of the coordinators of the collective literates that give can, These meetings are important for both the reading community and for the authors in Guatemalasince they allow an approach with what happens in the cultural environment of the country.
In addition, Hernández adds that for writers it is essential to know what is happening in the literary field, since, when writing, he dialogues with the present. As for readers, it points out that this activity represents an opportunity to get closer to reading, history and other relevant themes.
The group to which Hernández belongs will present the book Mix, shake and burn: recipes for taking (in) consciousnessby Editorial Parutz ‘. Other authors will also be present, including the poet Ligia García and García, who will present her book I feel without an accountby volcano of fire editions.
Garcia comments that he keeps very special memories of Quetzaltenango, since it was the department where he presented his first poetry book in 2011. Since then he has participated in different local literary activities. On this occasion, it is part of the authors who will be at the fair:
“Back to Xela is to return to my second homeis to meet friends who have become family and experiences that remain fresh in my memory. (…) Each of my books has a story in Xela; Quetzaltenango and the Quetzaltecos will always have important pages in my books and a special place in my heart, ”he says.
What activities will be at the Quetzaltenango International Book Fair?
The Fair will begin on Thursday, June 5 with the respective inauguration of the event at 10 in the morning. The closure will take place on Sunday 8 at 3 pm, with the presentation of the book The gift of your departureby author Paola Valeska Rojas.
Between the inauguration and the closure, a series of activities will be developed to enjoy family or individually. All are free and the park has parking. There will be security and parking option. The parking lot will have a unique Q10 rate.
These are some of the activities you can attend:
- Book presentations of different genres and for various audiences, both by national and foreign authors
- Storytelling for children
- Workshops and conversations aimed at the reading community
- Sale of books
If you want to know the complete activities program, you can consult it on the Facebook page: Filxela.
