After Frankfurt Book Fair, the Guadalajara International Book Fair is the second largest book expo in the world. Last year, more than 600,000 visitors came to the fair, including 17,000 publishing professionals and about 1,900 publishing houses from over 40 countries.
For the Anglo-American market, Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara or FIL for short is an important fair, because it allows insights into and access to the huge Latin American market. In fact, FIL is the most important book fair in the Spanish-speaking world.
Highlights of Guadalajara Book Fair 2010
Regardless, if visitors are attending for professional reasons or just to have fun, there are more than 3,000 book-related events to choose from. Among the highlights of FIL 2010 are the following:
- the International Illustrator Forum is having its debut at the fair
- the FIL Rights Center for authors, publishers and agents
- panel discussions, seminars and conferences with and for book professionals
- important book prizes like the FIL 2010 Literary Award
- an academic program in conjunction with the University of Guadalajara
- the 8th Reading Promoters Conference
- the „Pleasure of Reading“ forum
- FIL Children - FIL Niños, a special book fair for children and teenagers (see below)
- many concerts, shows and special events on the fair grounds and in Guadalajara
Guest of Honor at FIL 2010: Castilla y León
Since 1993, it is a FIL tradition to present a guest of honor every year to showcase the many literary traditons and cultures that make up Latin America. This year, the choice has fallen on Castilla y León, a Spanish region made up of the nine provinces Avila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora. In addition, this extensive region is considered the birthplace of the Spanish language and a bridge between Spain and Latin America.
Located in central Spain, Castilla y León extends over almost 36,300 square miles and is home to 2.5 million people. The first European hominids are said to have lived in this region and as the hub of European trade and many cultures, Castilla y León is classic, medieval and modern all at once. The many cultural events and exhibitions at the book fair will introduce Castilla y León to the fair's many visitors.
Opening Hours of Guadalajara Book Fair
The general public can once again look forward to two long book fair weekends plus book fair evening on Thursday and Friday and from Monday through Wednesday. Here are the Guadalajara International Book Fair hours at a glance:
- Saturday, Nov. 27 and Sunday, Nov. 28: 11 am–9 pm, general public
- Monday, Nov. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 1: 9 am–5 pm, trade visitors only; 5 pm –9 pm general public
- Thursday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 5: 9 am–9 pm, general public
FIL Children – FIL Niños 2010
Encouraging children and young adults to read has been given major importance at the Guadalajara International Book Fair ever since its inception in 1987. Last year, an area of more than 43,000 square feet was dedicated to children and their discovery of books and reading. Children can participate in workshops or simply read. Readings, acrobatics shows and music events are also popular with young visitors.
Stretching over nine days with 12 hours each, the Guadalajara International Book Fair is one of the longest book events in the world that attracts professionals and book lovers alike. A good mix of entertainment, a professional and an academic program guarantees that there is something for everyone. Visitors can already look forward to next year when Germany will be the guest of honor.
Readers of this article may also like to know more about the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair, how Frankfurt Book Fair Goes Green or University Press Publishing.
Simone Preuss - Simone is a freelance writer, editor and translator who decided to go solo after a successful career in publishing. That was more than ...
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