After the long suspension to which the pandemic forced her, the book fair last year was one of the most successful in its history. Almost a million and a half visitors overflowed the corridors, stands and auditoriums of the La Rural propertymore than 600 exhibitors presented their books there and around 1700 stamps exhibited their publications.
This year, in the 47th edition of the eventDespite inflation, the unattainable dollar and the paper crisis, Fundación El Libro and the main publishers in Argentina expect a similar success. And they have reason to have those expectations. The most important cultural event in the country has gone through various political efforts and economic earthquakes without flinching. Rather, it has managed to assimilate the differences, make them coexist and even transform them into its main attraction. This year, as always, the proposals are varied and interesting. Here, a selection of the best that can be experienced in 2023.
Fair schedule
The controversial inaugural speech of Guillermo Saccomanowhich aroused fiery criticism and not a few praise last year, will remain forever in the memory of editors and organizers of the Fair. Martin Kohan, much more measured, will have the responsibility in 2023 to open the event. For now, when asked what this proposal meant to him, he declared that it was a great compliment, although a bit overwhelming. His speech can be heard on April 27, the start day of the Fair, which runs until May 15.
This year’s guest city is Santiago de Chile, whose authorities announced extensive programming within the La Rural property and in other cultural spaces in the city. They will be part of the Chilean delegation Raúl Zurita, Nona Fernández, Alejandra Costamagna, Alberto Fuguet and Lina Meruaneamong other writers and intellectuals.
As it could not be otherwise, the theme of the 47th edition will be the 40th anniversary of democracy. The topic will be present in various ways throughout the event, but particularly will have its own cycle between May 10 and 13, in which militants, economists and sociologists will discuss the Argentine past and present. Within this activity, some of the judges of the Judgment of the Boards will remember that “hinge” moment in the history of the country. Also a photographic exhibition presented by ARGRA (Association of Graphic Reporters of the Republic) will celebrate the 4 decades, with images that summarize the reality of the country, year by year, from then until today.
Another important anniversary to be celebrated in 2023 is related to Jorge Luis Borges. are met 100 years of the publication of his first book of poetry, “Fervor de Buenos Aires”, an edition that his father paid for, when the writer was 23 years old. A sample and talks with specialists will be the key moments of this celebration. In addition, Penguin Random House will publish a reissue of the work. “We will launch a volume that brings together ‘Fervor de Buenos Aires’ with ‘Luna de enfrente’ and ‘Cuaderno San Martín’ (the first books of Borges’ poetry); and readers will also be able to find his complete work at our stand”, explains Valeria Fernández Naya, director of Marketing and Communication for the editorial group.
The writers
One of the special attractions of the Fair is the meeting with the authors. Going through the immense list of international visits that the event has received throughout its history is a way of understanding the importance it has for the creation and dissemination of the book. José Saramago, Paul Auster, John M. Coetzee, Ítalo Calvino, Jorge Amado, Susan Sontag, Ray Bradbury, Elena Poniatowska, Doris Lessing, Julián Marías, Hanif Kureishi and Henning Mankellare just some of those illustrious visitors.
This year, Fernando Aramburu, author of the famous novel “Patria”, will come to present his new book. They will also be Arturo Pérez Reverte, Jaime Baylythe Spanish bestseller Santiago Posteguillo, the Uruguayan poet Ida Vitale (who will celebrate her 100th birthday at the Fair), the Spanish philologist Irene Vallejowho wrote a book history (“El infinito en un junco”) that is already a classic and Gustavo Rodríguez, winner of the last Alfaguara Award.
The traditional “Reading Marathon”, in which a group of authors and actors pay homage to a writer by reading his texts with the public, will be dedicated to Gabriela Mistral. The “Dialogue of writers from Latin America and Argentina” will bring together the most important names in the literature of the continent, in round tables whose agenda can be consulted on the website of the Fair.
The same goes for the International Booktubers Meeting, one of the most successful activities among young people. As always, the International Poetry Festival will also take place, which this year is held between April 28 and 30 and brings together poets from all over the world. Saturday the 29th is “The Night of the Fair”, with exceptional hours: it will be open until 1 in the morning.
Tickets will be $800 Monday through Thursday and $1,200 on weekends, Fridays, and holidays. Children under 12 years of age do not pay a ticket, neither do teachers (with presentation of a salary receipt) nor school visits, nor people with disabilities. Retirees and students have free admission between Monday and Friday.
The expectations
“I cannot ignore my natural optimism or that of the editorial,” explains Adriana Fernández, editorial director of Grupo Planeta of Argentina, when asked about what he expects from the Fair this year-. We have many books that are working very well and that makes us think that it will be successful, despite everything. And the ‘despite everything’ implies the crisis and inflation. But I don’t think it stops being a party.”
The director of FCE-Fondo de Cultura Económica de Argentina, one of the most prestigious publishers in the market; Gastón Levin has more limited expectations: “In the current context, we do not expect this to be an extraordinary Fair in terms of sales. Even so, it always attracts a huge audience that doesn’t usually frequent bookstores. In addition, the meeting offers good activities and that is also very attractive. We are happy this year to once again occupy the place that the editorial had historically had at the Fair. There will be books at very affordable prices, both literature and non-fiction.”
As in every electoral year, there will be no shortage of presentations and interventions related to politics. A revolution can be foreseen in Javier Milei’s meeting with the public and participations that will make people talk about the different candidates.
The grid is ordered and the proposals are published on the Fundación El Libro website. The great festival of culture begins again.
Image gallery
