Considered one of the main cultural events in the country, the International Book Fair in Guatemala returns to celebrate its XXIII edition in an event full of cultural activities, book presentations, national and international guests and spaces dedicated to the promotion of reading.
From the National Palace of Culture, authorities from the Guild Association of Editors of Guatemala and the Ministry of Culture and Sports announced Filgua 2026, which will be held from July 7 to 19 at Fórum Majadas, zone 11 of Guatemala City, with Germany as the guest country.
The International Book Fair in Guatemala will offer more than 667 cultural activities as part of an agenda that includes traditional theme nights, spaces for children, book presentations and national and international guests.
By 2026, Filgua has adopted the motto: “Let’s go for a country of readers”, with the purpose of bringing reading to audiences of all ages and opening spaces that strengthen access to culture, imagination and critical thinking.
At Fórum Majadas, Filgua will have 159 stands of 82 national and international exhibitors. This edition will be dedicated to Rigoberta Menchú, Guatemalan Nobel Prize winner of 1992, to whom tribute will be paid on July 15.
Regarding the presentation of books, Filgua highlighted that there will be more than 175 editorial launches, a room dedicated to national authors and traditional meetings and book signings.
Pavilion of the guest country
One of the most notable spaces of this edition will be the pavilion of Germany, the guest country, which will provide visitors with a cultural exchange experience. It will bring together 30 exhibitors and offer activities such as:
- The reading hairdresser: space where Denny Beuerbach offers haircuts while children and adults read aloud.
- A trip through Germany: immersive experience using virtual reality glasses.
- Broadcasting matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- DJ sessions, musical nights and film series.
Authors Helene Bukowski, Carolin Emcke, Stefan Peters and Denny Beuerbach, as well as the illustrator Mia Oberländer, will participate from Germany.
Likewise, it was reported that, with the help of the Frankfurter Buchmesse, the pavilion will have three days aimed at editors, translators, booksellers and actors in the publishing industry from Guatemala and Central America.
- The book market (July 8): challenges and opportunities. Includes a two-day workshop on artificial intelligence and literary translation.
- Audio formats and digital distribution (July 9): audiobooks in Latin America, metadata and sales strategies.
- Professionals have the floor (July 10): table on artificial intelligence and copyright, keynote speech by Mia Oberländer on contemporary comics and digitization in libraries.
During the presentation of the guest country’s agenda, Sabine Eismann, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy, highlighted that the history that unites her country with Guatemala will be reflected in Filgua 2026, where there will be the opportunity to “celebrate that out loud, with books, with music and with conversations that do not need a passport.”
Filgua 2026 theme nights
The International Book Fair in Guatemala will offer special activities for readers of all ages. Among the theme nights stand out:
- Night of the Stars
- Star Wars Night
- Night of Terror
- family afternoons
- Olympic afternoon, sports and World Cup
- Harry Potter Day
- Night sale and story sleepover
Special guests
For this edition, Filgua will bring together prominent national and international authors such as:
- Adolfo Mendez Vides
- Francisco Pérez de Anton
- Edgar Ortiz
- Jay Sandoval
- Negma Coy
- Denise Phe-Funchal
- Nicté Serra
- Brenda Solis-Fong
- Irma Alicia Velásquez Nimatuj
- Guisela Lopez
- Vania Vargas
- Carolina Escobar Sarti
Among the international guests will be:
- Javier Pena Lopez
- Raquel Xochiquetzal Rivera Almaguer
- Nikolai Grube
- Eduardo Matos Moctezuma
- Paco Ignacio Taibo
- Jorge Gonzalvo
- Marianna Ruiz Johnson
- David Lozano
- Andres Salguero
Agenda commemorating the Peace Agreements
As part of the cultural programming, the 30 years since the signing of the Peace Agreements will be commemorated through:
- Discussions, talks and exhibitions.
- Tributes for 30 years and meetings between protagonists.
- Talks about the work of Roberto Obregón and Otto René Castillo.
- Activities on the role of women in the Peace Agreements.
- Talks about democracy and the Peace Agreements.
Agenda dedicated to children
As is tradition, Filgua will offer activities aimed at promoting reading among boys and girls. According to the organizers, there will be at least 150 special activities, including:
- Storyteller
- Workshops
- Discussions
- Educational talks
- Training meetings
- Thematic afternoons and activities to get closer to the Kaqchikel, K’iche’ and German languages
Musical agenda
Music will also be part of the programming of the International Book Fair in Guatemala. Among the invited artists the following stand out:
- Atitlán Cumbia Band
- Ch’umilkaj Curruchiche
- Tiger Leap
- The Bugs
- One Man Band
- Female Concert Marimba
- Fine Arts Concert Marimba
Filgua 2026’s opening hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., from July 7 to 19. Tickets can be purchased through Eticket at a cost of Q5 per person. Children under 12 years old will enter for free.