Last weekend, the Madrid Book Fair closed, and the lines of the report about it are correct: “since everything is in books, it goes without saying that the fair can interest everyone”. That’s right, it’s all in the books and it’s enough to take a look at that truth to believe that any initiative that puts them in the hands of readers is worthwhile. Every leader knows that group and mass meetings cause an almost electric fluid to flow through the participants in search of purpose or character. This happens at fairs that attract a wide audience. This happens at the book fair.

Those that Guayaquil had, thanks to the joint activities between the Municipal Tourism Company and Expoplaza, were a living example of what can be achieved by working together: they reached an increasingly numerous audience that in eight years got used to the quality of the literary offer in terms of exhibition tables and colloquiums, which hosted various players in the world of books, who celebrated anniversaries and delighted the eyes with playful and educational spaces. What could be better? Of course, everything can exceed milestones in the scope of experience, creativity and resources.

Last Sunday, social networks were stirred up by the news that the new mayor did not retain the patronage of three fairs organized by Expoplaza, one of which is the book fair. Many faithful participants expressed their disappointment with this measure, which can be considered a serious risk to the very existence of what they described as “the biggest cultural initiative in Guayaquil.” The exchanges stopped when the municipal authorities reversed what had been decided, in such a way that the digital newspaper that broke the news was also the one that reassuringly announced that everything would stay the same… for this year.

Can the existence of a fair that celebrates books be defended?

Can the existence of a fair that celebrates books be defended? Everyone would say that, despite the fact that few people read, everyone is theoretically convinced that this way of education and culture is necessary for the mental development of the population. Five days of events – which are short compared to the two weeks they have in Madrid, Buenos Aires, Bogotá – set in motion all those who work for books: material, advertisements, voices that fill the pages of human knowledge and products of imagination meet and share pleasure, knowledge , curiosity. I cannot forget the Nobel laureate JM Coetzee, who visited us in 2016, asking to be left alone to walk the halls of the fair. He wanted to make his own discoveries.

Bookstores never have the quantity and quality of visitors who browse their offer in so few days. Writers are listened to devotedly, the treasure of autographs can be an occasion to find deeper teachings. Fathers and mothers of families who scold children who do not read at home come with their children if a word from the young author convinces them. Teachers may find renewed motivation for their teaching to stimulate student interest.

I consider too many advantages of book fairs. I have repeatedly tested its character as an individual and social engine. (OR)