In a few days it begins The Editors Fair (FED), an event that over the years (14, to be exact) won an indisputable place on the Cultural Agenda of Buenos Aires And, very spontaneously, it grew to became a very anticipated meeting by the reading public. (See box with details of this edition)
To better understand the phenomenon, we wanted a reader of good essay and the best literature, and with a catalog cured with knowledge and dedication.
It’s about Mardulce, an editorial that was born in 2011, founded by Juan Zorraquín (current general director) and Gabriela Massuh (who soon left the publisher) and with Damián Tabarovsky as editor. To them was then added María Zorraquín who directs the Philos collection. Its catalog offers fiction and rehearsal collections, the latter divided into philosophy (philos) and current (time) and publishes authors such as Ariana Harwicz, Wila Cather, Pablo Maurette, María Sonia Cristoff, Jacques Derrida, Louis Althusser, Federico Monjeau, Cynthia Ozick, Beatriz Sarlo, María Moreno and Tabarovsky himself, novelist and cultural journalist, who gave us details about the ideas and objectives of the publisher.
A story
When asked about the initial intention they had as editors when imagining the project, Tabarovsky points to the type of authors who wanted to include in their catalog and the contribution they wanted to give to the editorial field in general. “I suppose that whenever an editorial arises it is because you imagine that you can contribute some kind of novelty. We are interested (and still interest us) both to publish new and already consecrated voices that, in some way, go through the least busy roads in the literary market. Argentine authors, of the rest of Latin America and translations, represent about 40% of our catalog,” he explains.
The original idea did not change too much over the years. On the contrary, the multiplication of small stamps and the development of editorial activity in general, reaffirmed the initial objectives. “I believe that the independent edition, that is, its growth and professionalization, is one of the most important (but the most important) phenomena of the cultural world of the last two decades. We felt fully members of that movement, ”says Tabarovsky.
As an ideal audience of their books, in Mardulce they imagine someone “curious, a restless reader or reader, attentive, with a good library at home, or in the process of having her.”
Another important topic for the activity is the general economic situation that relegates consumption such as the book, in the face of more pressing everyday needs. “The situation is increasingly difficult,” says the editor. “The government’s economic policy (and also its cultural policy) directly attempts against projects such as independent publishers. Now, beyond that, no one opens an independent publishing house to become rich …”.
Can a very successful book balance the numbers of a stamp? “Luckily we have published more than one book that has sold thousands of copies. But also others, many others, who did not exceed a few hundred readers … so I do not like to talk about ‘successful book’. Success is an accident (many times passenger). For me, a successful book is the one that leaves a mark on the language and in the reader (even one). And I assure that it is not easy to achieve that, ”replies the editor.
The Fed with its great call and a program of activities that brings together a large public amount, is usually an excellent moment in sales of all the participating publishing houses. “The Fed is, in addition to a fair, a meeting place,” explains Tabarovsky. “
The book today
In competition with social networks and streaming platforms, besieged by economic difficulties and increasingly labile attention possibilities, the survival of reading as a practice is involved in uncertainty and questions. “The book object is a great invention, which comes since time immemorial and to which I expect, I believe, beyond any threat, a great future,” says Damián Tabarovsky.
Like him, independent editors gathered these days in the Fed bet on irresistible charm that books always offer.
The Fed Agenda
The 14th edition of the Editors Fair will be held this year Between Thursday 7 and Sunday, August 10, with free admission, from 14 to 21on the same site of the last editions: The C Media complex on Corrientes 6271 Avenue.
Three hundred stamps of Argentina and abroad, from Buenos Aires and the interior of the country will congregate to share with the reading public, not only its best titles but also, the main books of its catalog. Experience, as always, also includes the possibility of exchanging opinions with those responsible for the different publishers and taking advantage of news and promotions.
Narrative, essay, poetry, enlightened books, music, cinema, social sciences and humanities, journalism and graphic novel, among others, are the genres that edit the various seals involved in the event.
The Lithuanian-British writer Marijam Didžgalvytė; The Mexican author Socorro Venegas and the Colombian Trailblazer Mother Joy Yeguaza They are the international visits of this year. Dolores Reyes, María Sonia Cristoff, Pablo Semán, Verónica Gago, Edgardo Scott, Juan Mattio, Paula Puebla, Juan Ruocco, Walter Lezcano and Gustavo Yuste, some of the national authors who will participate in talks and presentations.
The Fair will deliver in this edition 3 awards: the traditional distinction to the best poster, which organizes the Fed with the Vermú force, which were winning Celeste Barta and Powerpaola. Also the Prize for the Librera work, which recognizes the work of the booksellers throughout the country and whose winner is announced on the first day of the event. A new contest, heading to Guadalajara, which delivers the Fed with Thomson Reuters; It allows an editor to travel to the Guadalajara Book Fair, one of the most important industry meetings in the world.
From feminism to video games, from the novel to poetry, all the themes are presented in the talks that will take place the four days of the fair, almost from the time of start of activities to the end.
Like every year, The Fed drives a blood collectionon Friday, August 9. Next to the Hemocenter Foundation of Buenos Aires and Céspedes Bookstore.
This and other accurate data, schedules and editorials involved in the event can be consulted on the Fed website, feriadeeditores.com.ar.
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