One of the few advantages of living in Bogotá, at this time, when the country’s capital faces the worsening of its traffic, insecurity, unemployment and migration problems, among others, is its cultural agenda; It is wide, varied and not expensive. In that cultural agenda, the Bogotá Book Fair stands out, perhaps as the most important event of the year. In addition to being one of the oldest and most important in the country, it is one of the most important in Latin America, next to those in Guadalajara, in Mexico, and those carried out in Argentina, with a thriving and traditional publishing industry. . And those of Brazil – precisely – guest of honor country this year 2024.
Filbo is, in reality, a great macro cultural event, with discussions, conferences, panels, forums, etc., which constitutes a great opportunity for young high school and university students in Bogotá. Of course, also for other types of audiences, mainly writers, editors and journalists, among others. The young audience that comes to the Bogotá Book Fair is very important, which could mean, in the future, that work can continue to improve the reading and writing levels of the girls. That’s the challenge…
The Corferias venue is one of the largest in the country and its dozens of pavilions, auditoriums, food courts, etc., facilitate multiple daily events, with writers, poets, journalists, editors, designers, universities and media, which make Filbo a true “book festival”, with a capital letter. This is good news in the context of a country with the political polarization we have and with multiple economic, social and – now – environmental problems.
The Externado de Colombia University has been linked to Filbo for years, definitely with one of the largest and most complete stands, but also with a series of academic events that link several of its faculties, including Social Communication. This time, obviously, was no exception and the Externado held a successful International Congress on Journalism.
In this edition, the 37th, in addition to Brazil, a country with great literary and cultural production, the other theme was “talking to nature”; and at the national level, the department of Huila was invited, and another topic: the first hundred years of “La Vorágine”, by José Eustasio Rivera, a fundamental work in the country’s novels. It is estimated that Filbo was visited by more than 600 thousand people, and generated business in excess of US$ 6 million. But, the most important thing was to be able to personally meet and listen to writers of the stature of Santiago Posteguillo and Rosa Montero; Andrés Oppenheimer and Irente Vallejo, among many other foreigners and nationals.
About twenty fairs of this type are held in the country. Valledupar already entered this select group with the Book Fair that is held with the determined support of the newspaper EL PILÓN, the main organizer. Another contribution from this newspaper to Cesar. In good time this initiative and – hopefully – year after year the Valledupar Book Fair continues to grow and gain social support, from companies, schools and universities, and most importantly the visit and participation of the people, the public in general, after the folklore festival of the Vallenato Festival. We must continue with the Valledupar Book Fair and learn, as much as possible, from that great book festival that takes place in Bogotá.
By: Carlos A. Maestre Maya
Bogotá, May 2024. *University Professor.