Today is the first day of the acclaimed book fair in Buenos Aires. I’ve been to book fairs all over the world and this is by far the best. Held in the massive La Rural, the fair goes from April 24 to May 12. The Argentine author Ricardo Piglia will speak at the innauguration today.
The book fair is not just a place to blow a stack of cash on hard-to-find books in various languages. It’s the speakers, the lectures and discussions, the cultural events, and the sheer magnitude of the 20 days that draw in the crowds.
Among the international literary figures scheduled to appear this year are: Naomi Klein (Canada; speaking today at 20:00 hs in Sala J.L. Borges), Tom Wolfe (U.S.), Almudena Grandes (Spanish), Juan Villoro (Mexican), Gioconda Belli (Nicaraguan), Luis Baez (Cuban), Jorge Fornet (Cuban), Eduardo Mendicutti (Spanish), Barbara Cassin (French), Alberto Guerra Naranjo (Cuban) and Nelida Piñon (Brazil). For a complete listing, go here.
New to the fair this year is a gourmet section called “Placeres y Sabores” which I plan to spend a lot of time at. Invited authors and chefs will prepare dishes and cocktails for the public. The schedule is here.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the folklorist Atahualpa Yupanqui‘s birth, the fair will pay tribute to this Argentine legend on Sunday, May 4. It will be a day filled with music and dance and one not to miss!
You can check out the full program here.
Entry fees are $8 from Monday-Thursday and $10 Friday-Sunday. The fair goes from 14:00 to 22:00 Sunday – Thursday and from 14:00 – 23:00 Fridays and Saturdays. On Wednesday, April 30, from 14:00-2:00 for the “Noche de la Ciudad en la Feria del Libro” which will showcase performances, cultural activities, book signings, and many surprises (according to the Feria’s website).
Images courtesy of 34th Annual International Book Fair in Buenos Aires website.
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