The capital’s great literary event is preparing for 16 days with 359 book booths, author signings and 316 activities
With 83 editions on its back, it is a challenge not to lose its attractiveness while preserving “the essence”: that which leads readers to go again “in search of a title, a signature and the encounter with someone.” author”, as emphasized yesterday Marta Rivera de la Cruz, Councilor for Culture, Tourism and Sports, in the presentation of the main literary event in the capital. “A cultural heritage of incalculable value” and “of a popular nature,” he also highlighted. Luis Martín, second in the analogous Ministry of the regional Executive. Well, the Madrid Book Fair, in that balance, returns one more year to the Retiro Park, from May 31 to June 16, and with new features, to also make amends for the past.
The most provocative, due to the controversy in recent years with independent publishers when their appearance was made impossible due to the tightening of the criteria, is that for the first time they will have their own space. In the central area of the Paseo de Coches, in an octagonal layout with space for signatures, “15 small but important publishers” will be distributed, with a catalog of between 25 and 79 titles, he revealed. Eva Orúe, director of the Fair from 2022. «At least for us. If the number of publishers continues to grow and nothing indicates that it will stop, and if they continue wanting to come to the Fair and nothing indicates that they will not continue wanting to, we have to enable spaces in the center that are attractive,” he stressed.
Well, it was also precisely that location that unleashed the indignation of those who were placed there during the year of the pandemic, which they blamed for 21% less sales in 2021. «There is a kind of black legend with that central space, but they were the same booths. What we want to make is spaces that work. And last year, Untamed “He taught us that it can be attractive,” he claimed. “We have the space we have,” in which, according to Orúe, large groups occupy 5% of the Fair and 8.7% of the booths for publishers. And he settled: “In the end you realize that you can’t squeeze people into the booths any more.”
Thus, in the median those brave people outside the commercial circuit will repeat, Untamedgathered by POETS on an island to 43 “rare” and unconventional stamps, but this time for two weekends. In addition to the five union booths with 104 publishers and another 10 from universities. In total, 359 exhibitors will be placed along the promenade: 213 from publishers, 117 from bookstores, 14 from distributors and 15 from official organizations, which will coexist with 316 activities.
With a budget of 1,741,900 euros, the Fair extends its hours, for the first time, with an illuminated evening. On the night of May 7th the blinds will not be lowered until 11:30 p.m. and will feature theatrical pieces, starring the students of the Royal Higher School of Dramatic Art (RESAD), and surprise musical performances, by Sofar Sound.
The latest novelty accompanies the core of the event this year, under the motto Train your mind, read your body. With sport as “a starting point, a metaphor for life and an excuse to be able to talk about everything beyond the competition,” Orúe explained, an Olympic and Paralympic Day will be celebrated on June 13, with the presence of Lydia Valentín, Fermín Cacho, Albert Llovera either Teresa Peralesin team with the usual firms.
Because there will be no shortage of authors and their conversations. At the same inauguration, which Queen Letizia will attend, they will meet Leila Guerriero, Miguel Pardez and Pierre Assouline. With that same sensitivity towards physical exercise, Richard Ford and Mariana Enriquez They will discuss writing as resistance; Lionel Shriver and Sergio del Molino, about the cult of the body; either Héctor Abad Faciolince, Soledad Puértolas and Laía Argüelles, about the rhythm in the water. AND Mijaíl Shiskin, Adanía Shibili, Lisette Lombé, Yan Lianke and Alejandro Jodorowsky They will join this 16-day event, a unique book festival.
