Five days of intense cultural movement, that is the ninth edition of the Guayaquil International Book Fair 2023 (FIL Guayaquil), which is being developed this year under the slogan Besides what is written, and also beyond all the difficulties which its realization might have entailed.

These are the favorite books of the Queen of Guayaquil and the Star of October 2022

Ceclia Jurado, commercial manager of Expoplaza indicates that as a promoter they have high expectations of this year’s edition. “It is a fair that is growing. It is a fair that started in a very small room… “I could say it’s one of the largest trade shows the Convention Center has right now,” explains the literary meeting that attracted more than 27 thousand visitors last year. “It is a city fair that promotes tourism and of course promotes culture and literature”

Jury indicates that Grants like this exceed $500,000 in investments. More than five thousand square meters are occupied for the exhibition of bookstores, publishing houses and other literary spaces; So far there are more than 60 registered stands.

Birthdays

Workshops

This edition consists of a series of workshops specifically aimed at students. The workshops are given by teachers, cultural managers and authors.

“Young people are the perfect target to start their relationship with books, from the attraction, from the novelty, from the playful dimension,” Ansaldo emphasizes.

The program includes: ‘Designing your cover’, ‘The power of the voice in cinema’, ‘Stop Motion workshop’, ‘Creating stories’, ‘Poetry workshop’, ‘Dubbing workshop’.

The traditional competitions for schools will also be maintained: Duel of cartoonists and Comic Marathon. And this year the first edition of the chess tournament will premiere The Queen’s Gambit. Entrance to the schools is free, visits can be coordinated via email rmoran@expoplaza.ec

Guests

Ansaldo indicates that for this year the presence of authors is smaller, in contrast to other editions. However, some of the invited writers are participating in the FIL Guayaquil for the first time, such as Adolfo Macías, Juan Carlos Arteaga and for the second time Natalia Garcia. “I specifically looked for those who have not yet participated,” says Ansaldo.

This fair also brings together other local authors such as Carlos Vásconez, Edwin Alcarás, Miguel Molina, Mariasol Pons, And Oscar Vela.

Meanwhile, the international proposal consists of Jaime Baylyfrom Peru; Laura Restrepo, from Colombia; Claudia Pineiro, from Argentina; Andrés Neuman, from Argentina; Agustin Laje, from Argentina, Guillermo Arriaga, from Mexico; Armando Lucas, from Cuba; Jordi Sierra and Fabra, from Spain; Oscary Arroyo, from Venezuela; Pablo Munoz, from Argentina, and Christian Torres, of Colombia.

Ansaldo confirms that there is a more international author who could confirm his participation.

Miguel Donoso Pareja Prize

As usual, during the opening ceremony, the FIL Guayaquil will announce the winner of the short novel competition, Miguel Donoso Pareja, for which the writer last year Luis Alberto Bravo Pina, with his novel Asia.

Ansaldo indicates that almost 35 works were submitted for the competition call, fewer than on other occasions where as many as 80 novels were submitted. “I interpret it as a sign of hopelessness, of unrest that the country is experiencing in all dimensions. 35 novels is not the ideal number for a competition that is so well promoted and so well situated on the literary horizon, but the interesting thing is that the quality of the participants is increasing.”

$10,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Miguel Donoso Pareja Award, calls are open until June

In the participating works he states that tradition and avant-garde predominate. “On the tradition side there is a strong national contingent, but On the other hand, there is the urban novel, the crime novel, the novel with crime, the novel with passion….” mentions.

The winner will receive one single prize of $10,000. The basics stated that “the publication of the award-winning novel is in the hands of the author and the interested publishers.”

The VIP reader

Currently there is a dynamic on social networks that consists of sharing experiences you have had in previous editions of the FIL Guayaquil. The person who shares, comments and tags their memories with the FIL the most will have a chance to win a VIP reader reference.

With this proof of identification you have the opportunity to enter the fair completely free of charge during the five days of the fair. The ten people with the most interactions will be the winners of these credentials.

Will there be FIl Guayaquil 2024?

“We recommend that the fair be maintained with this force, with this impetus above the difficulties (…) It is a commitment to the citizens, who are faithfully present and who know that in September it is the literary event of the city and the country”, says Ansaldo.

Meanwhile, Jurado indicates that all projects arising from Expoplaza aim to sustain themselves over time, outside of municipal auspices. “The success of a grant is that it can have continuity over time, that’s why we have 30-year grants, 25-year grants… if nothing happens, there is FIL for a while. Our idea is to continue with the FIL,” explains.

Dates and times of the FIL Guayaquil 2023

The Guayaquil International Book Fair will be inaugurated on Wednesday, September 20 at 10:30 am in the Vicente Rocafuerte Room, of the Guayaquil Convention Center. The opening ceremony will have special participation from the Chamber group of the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Guayaquil, who will offer a song inspired by all the works celebrating their anniversary.

The day is extended until September 24, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The Admission costs $3.00. and it can be purchased through the official website www.libroguayaquil.com and also at the Convention Center box office. (JO)