It is worth remembering that the literary contest will take place from August 23 to September 1 at the Bucaramanga Convention and Events Center, Neomundo.
In the next edition of the Bucaramanga Book Fair, Ulibro 2024, a renewed vision of the promotional spaces for activities that revolve around literature will be presented with the aim of greater enjoyment for attendees. One of these new scenarios will be dedicated to independent publishers working in the country.
It will be a special showcase, where visitors will be able to discover a wide variety of works at special prices. This initiative seeks to support and highlight the talent of emerging authors and, in addition, for attendees to learn about other types of literature: “The idea is to support emerging Colombian authors and promote literary diversity, offering a stage for these publishers to show their work and expand its reach regionally,” said Lynda Vanessa Bula Barbosa, content coordinator of Ulibro 2024.
One of these publishers is Monigote, which is dedicated to publishing illustrated books about Colombian culture, whether cultural heritage or the country’s biodiversity.
“The participation of the publisher in this fair will represent a key opportunity, since we hope to make our books known in the local cultural environment, generating empathy and surprise among visitors. In addition, we aspire to obtain positive financial results by covering logistics costs and generating sales, while identifying potential clients such as universities, compensation funds, schools and institutions,” said Mauricio Gaviria, editorial director of Monigote.
Monigote’s books focus on the illustration of oral tradition, popular culture, ancestral knowledge and the biodiversity of Colombia.
In the literary contest, which will take place from August 23 to September 1 at the Bucaramanga Convention and Events Center, Neomundo, there will be the presentation of the emerging author Valentina Flores, a Santander native who will launch his new book in his own land.
Other publishers that have already confirmed their presence in Ulibro are: Tragaluz Editores, Ediciones El Silencio, Sílaba Editores and Editorial Frailejón.
Comic and illustration
The organization of the fair has wanted a new audience to join this event and they are people who love manga, comics and illustration. Aware of the growing influence of these forms of artistic expression on contemporary culture, the fair has expanded its offering to include a varied range of activities.
“Comic books and manga represent a gateway to reading. For example, when reading Blue Lock, a manga about football, the curiosity to know more about the sport or the players mentioned becomes evident. The popularity of superhero movies, such as Marvel or Batman, drives viewers to investigate more about their favorite characters. In the United States and Japan, comics and manga fans have existed for decades, and now we seek to bring the best of both worlds to the Bucaramanga public,” commented Eduardo Bejarano Tapia, commercial executive at Grafam ComicShop.
More spaces in Ulibro 2024
Another novelty this year is the installation of a tent dedicated to cultural meetings and a platform in the children’s pavilion. These versatile spaces will be the perfect settings for conversations, musical events and other activities, providing a unique platform for cultural and artistic expression.
“This year presents significant new features in its physical structure, including the creation of a space dedicated to artistic exhibitions that attendees can enjoy on the different days of the fair, as well as a relocation of our spaces where the different publishers are located to achieve integrate them better,” said Bula Barbosa.
With the focus on independent publishers and the expansion of the offer of comics and illustrations, Ulibro reaffirms its commitment to emerging authors and young audiences interested in these genres.
