The Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) recovers the shine that the covid-19 pandemic had taken from it. The authorities of the great Spanish book festival have been satisfied this Sunday with the numbers of visitors to the fair, almost one million people. In addition, they celebrate the increase in the number of publishing labels that participated this year, with almost three thousand signatures from the industry. Everything has been thanks and celebrations from those who direct this event that ranks second among the book fairs in the world. “This year’s FIL broke all records,” said Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, general rector of the University of Guadalajara, which organizes the event.
Data provided by FIL authorities show that 907,300 people visited the fair, almost 50,000 more than last year, when 857,315 visitors attended. The number of publishers also increased, which went from 2,469 in 2023 to 2,763 this year. The fair’s management has not given numbers on revenue or the number of books sold. This year another “record” is also added to those of the fair. Sergio Ramírez, curator of the literary program of Spain, the guest country, has said that “it is the largest delegation from a guest country to date,” with more than 300 people, including writers, artists, editors and authorities, including the vice president. second of the Spanish Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, and the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun.
“People have responded with enthusiasm to their encounter with books from the first day,” said Marisol Schulz, director of the FIL, who stated that in this edition the publishing houses and bookstores have recorded “a greater number of sales.” , although they have not offered specific data, as is usually the case with publishers. Some, like Planeta, one of the giants in the sector, have reported that sales have been 50% higher than in the last edition.
José Trinidad Padilla, president of the fair, explained that the recovery in the number of visitors “is the product of the work of many people for the benefit of readers, who have responded in an unparalleled manner to their appointment with the FIL.” During the days of the fair you could see the hallways full of people, huge queues to access the different presentations and long waits at the cash registers to pay for the books. Under the motto of “Round trip”, Spain passes the baton to Barcelona, the guest city in the next edition of the fair, number 39.