Under the motto “Let’s go for a country of readers”, it starts the XXIII edition of Filguawhere authors, readers and publishing houses met again to celebrate reading in the country.
This space opens its doors with an agenda of more than 800 activities, including meetings with authors, autograph signings, book presentations, musical activities and cinema. Filgua 2026 has Germany as the guest of honor, which brings more than 140 activities during the event.
The fair seeks to strengthen reading, develop critical thinking and promote a meeting around literary culture. This year, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum is the honoree of this edition, which will have a special agenda in her honor. The event will offer the presentation of 175 new books. In addition, it will have a room dedicated to authors and a space for book signings.
César Medina, president of the Guatemalan Publishers Guild Association, welcomed Filgua 2026 and stated that the permanence and growth of the fair are the result of the commitment and perseverance of those who believe that books transform societies.
“In Guatemala, Filgua has grown thanks to the vision of the Editors’ Guild, which understood that the book does not exist in isolation, but is part of a true book ecosystem,” Medina added.
This edition will give public school students who visit Filgua and the Libro al Viento fairs a copy of the book. something growsby Julio Serrano Echeverría, in Spanish and in one of seven Mayan languages, as part of the delivery of 30 thousand copies, according to Medina. Likewise, he highlighted that this edition revolves around three axes: the tribute to Rigoberta Menchú, Germany as the guest country of honor and the 30 years since the signing of the Peace Agreements.
For her part, Friederike Hellner, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Guatemala, expressed that, under the premise that peace is the daughter of coexistence, education and dialogue, her country prepared the program Stories that build bridges, with which it will promote exchange around education.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú highlighted that the inauguration not only celebrates a new edition of Filgua, but also the struggle that for 23 years has left its mark on the country. She added that receiving a tribute while alive, in the land where she was born, represents an enormous honor and feels like a small footprint in time.
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Luis Méndez Salinas, stated that he felt at home inside Filgua, a space that allows the public to learn about stories and characters, marvel at the content of the books and connect with other people.
Government authorities, the Guatemala International Book Fair, the German embassy and literary personalities inaugurate the XXIII edition of Filgua (Photo Prensa Libre: Erick Ávila)
Méndez highlighted the importance of continuing to promote reading in the country and pointed out that, although some wonder why continue printing books in Guatemala when many things are still needed, the answer is that in this country “for millennia people have thought, wonderful philosophies and works have been created that deserve to be recognized and form part of the consciousness we share.”
Bernardo Arévalo de León began his speech by welcoming the festival of knowledge and stated that a diversity of expressions and feelings await visitors that invite them to explore and get lost among its spaces.
He added that, since Popol Wujthe essence of the country’s culture, has been weaving a cultural identity that changes every day and is the product of a society whose greatest wealth is multiculturalism, which we are finally learning to value.
The mayor of Guatemala City, Ricardo Quiñónez, also participated in the event; the Minister of Education, Anabella Giracca, and the 2025 National Literature Prize, Gilberto Méndez Vides.
Germany, guest of honor
One of the main attractions of this edition is the German pavilion, which presents an agenda to celebrate that country’s culture and strengthen ties between both nations.
The space brings together 30 cultural institutions, cooperation organizations and publishers to develop 140 activities, including presentations by authors Helene Bukowski, Carolin Emcke and Stefan Peters, as well as the illustrator Mia Oberländer.
In addition, it will feature the presence of Denny Beuerbach, known as the reading hairdresser, who will attract children and adults with his peculiar proposal.
The German agenda also includes music, art, cinema and immersive experiences. Likewise, there will be three days of professional program aimed at editors, translators, booksellers and other actors in the publishing industry of Guatemala and Central America.
Commemoration of 30 years of the Peace Agreements
One of the central activities of Filgua 2026 will be the commemoration of 30 years of the Peace Agreements, with an agenda of talks, exhibitions and special activities.
Among them stand out:
- Tributes for 30 years and meetings between protagonists
- Talk about the work of Roberto Obregón and Otto René Castillo
- Agenda on the role of women in the Peace Agreements
- Talks about democracy and the Peace Agreements
The stand of the Sophos publishing house within the Guatemala International Book Fair (Filgua) 2026. (Photo Prensa Libre: Keneth Cruz)
Tributes from the XXIII edition
As part of the cultural activities of Filgua 2026, a posthumous tribute will be paid to three Guatemalan authors and a living tribute to the Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum.
- Luis Aceituno: July 7
- Rigoberta Menchú Tum: July 9
- Arnoldo Ramírez Amaya: July 13
- Francisco Alejandro Méndez: July 15
Theme nights
One of the main attractions of Filgua are the theme nights, which bring together fans of Harry Potter and Star Wars, with the purpose of bringing literature to new generations.
The scheduled activities are:
- July 8: Night of the Stars
- July 9: Galactic Night
- July 10: Night of Terror
- July 16: Magic Day
- July 17: Book sale and story sleepover (6 to 9 p.m.)
Filgua, organized by the Guatemalan Editors’ Guild Association (AGEG), with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, will take place from July 7 to 19 at Fórum Majadas, zone 11, where children, adolescents and adults will find activities suitable for each audience.
One of the attractions of the Guatemala International Book Fair (Filgua) is the night of magic, where Harry Potter literature is celebrated. (Free Press Photo: Kenneth Cruz)