These are some reflections on the Bogotá Book Fair and the possible changes it may have for optimal functioning due to its magnitude. It is suggested that some could be: separating days for professionals and the public, reducing the entrance price, adding attractions such as bargain sales and second-hand bookstores, and reconsidering the figure of the guest country. Adjusting the dates so as not to coincide with other international fairs would also be beneficial.
The Bogotá Book Fair is an important cultural event, as demonstrated by the immense interest it creates, but there is no doubt that the number of visitors would increase considerably if some changes were made.
The big problem that Filbo has is that after so many years it has not been able to find its way. It is not a purely professional fair like the one in Frankfurt or a combined fair for professionals and the general public like the one in Buenos Aires or Guadalajara. The latter have their first days dedicated exclusively to professional buyers and the rest of the time, individuals can visit them to find the publications they want.
In Bogotá they have tried to make a combination of the two, with simultaneous access for both professionals and the public, with the result that neither of them can be attended to as they deserve. The ideal, then, would be to imitate the Argentine and Mexican fairs, with three or four days dedicated to professionals and the rest of the time opening the doors to private book buyers. This change would not be difficult and would avoid what was seen in so many positions: those who occupy them cannot give adequate attention to either one or the other, since professionals are continually interrupted by those who want to purchase a book and many times these are It leaves them aside in the interest of seeking contacts with professional buyers.
But there are other elements that must be taken into account. For most people’s purchasing power, the entry price is high and drives away many interested parties. The entrance fee should be reduced or part of it should be allowed to be paid towards the acquisition of a publication. On the other hand, a series of additional attractions should be created, such as allowing the sale of balances that often resurrect books that were not lucky in their first release. Many book lovers believe that used bookstores, where there are often bibliographic gems that are no longer available, should have their place.
The figure of a guest country should also be reconsidered. Experience has shown that guests get by anyway, with a collection of tourist brochures and propaganda posters, but no books or authors. The fair should be attractive enough for publishers from other countries to come without an invitation. On the other hand, the dates chosen for the Bogotá book fairs have almost always coincided with the Buenos Aires Fair and it is possible that many potential visitors from abroad, when they have to choose between the two, go to Argentina, subtracting important elements to our fair. It would be more logical that the dates of one would follow those of the other, which would allow many to plan a visit to both cities.
