The book fair season in Latin America has officially begun, marking one of the most awaited cultural moments of the year. The almost simultaneous opening of FILBA in Argentina and FILBo in Colombia inaugurates a series of meetings that, beyond the sale of books, are platforms for cultural dialogue, citizenship building and economic dynamization in their respective countries.

In a continent where the written word continues to be a central vehicle for expressing identities, resistance and social transformations, these literary gatherings not only bring together authors, publishers and readers, but also boost creative industries, strengthen local production chains and project the cultural image of their host cities internationally.

Buenos Aires and Bogota: culture as the driving force of the country

The Buenos Aires International Book Fair, which opened its doors on April 24 at La Rural, is considered one of the most important in the Spanish-speaking world. Its 2025 edition arrives with a renewed commitment to dialogue and diversity, after months of tensions between cultural sectors and the Argentine government. Under the slogan of building bridges, FILBA incorporates in this edition a strong presence of "bookfluencers" and live broadcasts, in an effort to attract young audiences and boost the publishing market. Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, is the guest of honor, in a gesture that opens new routes for cultural exchange between Latin America and the Arab world.

In parallel, the Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) opened on April 25 at Corferias, with a program of more than 2,300 activities. This year, the thematic axis "The words of the body" invites reflection on the body as an archive of memory, migration and diversity. Spain, guest of honor, brings a delegation of 140 authors and a tribute to rural libraries as a symbol of cultural resistance. In addition, FILBo extends its territorial scope with activities in 28 venues in Bogota and 11 other cities, and pays tribute to La Guajira with a pavilion dedicated to ancestral memory.

Both fairs have an impact that goes far beyond the literary sphere. According to studies carried out in previous years by organizers and cultural entities, these events boost sectors such as hotels, transportation, domestic tourism and gastronomy. Thousands of visitors, including book industry professionals and cultural tourists, mobilize local economies, generating temporary jobs and strengthening creative ecosystems.

Guadalajara: the great event of the Hispanic world

Although the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) is starting later, it is already shaping up to be a 2025 edition of enormous projection. From November 29 to December 7, the Mexican city will welcome authors, publishers and readers from all over the world. Barcelona will be the guest of honor, with a program that will highlight its linguistic and cultural richness. FIL Guadalajara is undoubtedly the largest Spanish-language fair in the world, and its economic and media impact is crucial for Mexico: it attracts more than 800,000 visitors and represents a global showcase for its publishing industry.

Beyond the numbers, what is at stake in these fairs is the reaffirmation of the book as a meeting place in times of polarization, and the confirmation that culture, even in difficult economic contexts, continues to be an engine for development and social cohesion.

This is the complete season for 2025

The season is just beginning, and promises to be a vibrant celebration of words, thought and culture throughout the region.