For the seventh year, books take to the streets in an activity that “celebrates the book ecosystem. Talking about books is talking about something alive, talking about an absolutely extraordinary object, about a door that opens spaces and paths to wonder, a bridge that makes possible conversations that otherwise would not be possible (…) a powerful spell to alleviate loneliness and populate the silence, a very powerful magnet to attract words, ideas, people and conversations. In some way, it is talking about the community that is found around that book,” said Luis Méndez Salinas, Minister of Culture and Sports at the opening ceremony.
The Spanish Embassy in Guatemala inaugurated the seventh edition of the Book Fair at the Cultural Center of Spain, within the framework of International Book Day, with the aim of promoting reading and strengthening the publishing sector in the country.
“Every April 23 in Spain we celebrate Sant Jordi, a lively way in which books go out into the streets, circulate from hand to hand, are given as gifts, recommended and accompany conversations. It is a public celebration of reading. Bringing this spirit here today, to the Cultural Center of Spain in Guatemala, is a way of sharing a tradition that understands the book as a meeting space between people, but it is also something more: reading is a way of exercising freedom of expression. Defending the book is defending the right to to think, to imagine, to ask and to participate in public life through words,” said the Spanish ambassador to Guatemala, María Clara Girbau Ronda.
During the activity, it was highlighted that the fair is part of a sustained effort to promote access to books, support publishers, libraries and authors, as well as promote meeting spaces between readers and creators.
The authorities highlighted that reading is not only a cultural practice, but also a tool linked to freedom of expression, critical thinking and citizen participation.
The event brings together various Guatemalan and international publishers, in addition to including activities aimed at girls, boys and young people, as part of a strategy to strengthen the training of new readers.
“Betting on young readers is betting on freer societies.”
María Clara Girbau Ronda, ambassador of Spain in Guatemala
The inauguration included the presentation of the book A train rideby the Guatemalan writer Gloria Hernández, as a way to highlight national literary production and the work of independent publishers.
This Sunday it is celebrated on the Paseo de la Sexta Avenida, in the Historic Center, zone 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Presentation program
✏️ Storytelling with Edgar Molina | Itinerant Children’s Library | 11:00 a.m.
✏️ One step by train | Pensativo Editions | Presented by: Gloria Hernández, Ana Cofiño and Beatriz Colmenares | 11:00 a.m.
✏️ Ri ojër tz’ib’awuj richin ri ija’tz chuqa’ richin ri loq’oläj ixim / The manuscript of the seed and the sacred corn | Miguel Ángel Oxlaj Cúmez (@migueloxlaj) | Presented by: Manuel Bolom, Kaypa’ Tz’iken and Eva Tecún | 2:00 p.m.
✏️ The animal in the stone | Amanuensis | Presented by: Julio Serrano Echeverría | 3:00 p.m.
✏️ The urgent transformation | F&G/Oxfam | Presented by: Juan Alberto Fuentes (via Zoom) and Enrique Naveda (in person) | 3:00 p.m.
✏️ Thought III Collection | Cultural Center of Spain | Presented by: Aura Cumes, Andrea Tock, Numa Dávila, Ernestina Tecú and Gabriel Rodríguez Pellecer | 4:00 p.m.
Participating publishers
- La Fiera Shop
- Tomo.Books
- Umi Store
- Editions of the Pensativo
- Metaphor
- Parutz’ Editorial
- Maya ‘Wuj Publishing House
- Tujaal Editions
- Cholsamaj Publishing House
- Mistu, Lunam Books
- Librefem
- Economic Culture Fund
- Meow Meow
- Cazam Ah Editorial
- Culture Editorial
- F&G Editors
- Piedrasanta Editorial
- Editorial Catafixia
- Center Books