The next Bogotá Book Fair (FILBo) will have a Mediterranean flavor as Spain has been announced as the guest of honor for the 2025 edition. The organizers of the literary festival made the announcement on the final day of the current edition, expressing their love for Spanish literature and the strong cultural ties between Spain and Colombia. The theme of the XXXVII edition of FILBo will be the construction of peace, a concept that is constantly evolving in Colombia. The Spanish Secretary of State for Culture emphasized the importance of literature in fostering peace in the country and Europe, stating that culture is more necessary than ever in times of violence and war.
Spain and Colombia share a common legacy in the Spanish language, a present, and a future. The Spanish Secretary highlighted the shared language as a treasure that can help build peace in both countries. He also mentioned that in addition to Spanish, other languages spoken in Spain such as Catalan, Galician, and Basque will be showcased at the upcoming FILBo, showcasing the diversity of Spanish culture in Colombia. This will be the second time that Spain is the guest of honor at the Bogotá Book Fair, with the first time being in 1992 during the celebration of the 500 years since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.
Having Spain as the guest of honor at the book fair will deepen the relationship between the literary communities of both countries, which is already quite strong. Spanish author Irene Vallejo was a standout at this year’s edition, delivering a keynote speech on the birth of writing, the alphabet, and the relationship between nature and books. The conclusion of the current FILBo also marks the end of Brazil’s tenure as the guest of honor, with notable Brazilian authors and cultural figures leaving their mark on the festival. It remains to be seen if the current Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, will attend the 2025 edition of the fair.
The Spanish Secretary highlighted that the construction of peace will be a central theme of Spain’s presence at the next edition of FILBo, emphasizing the importance of culture in times of conflict. The shared language between Spain and Colombia will serve as a foundation for building peace and fostering a stronger relationship between the two countries. The promotion of Spanish language and culture, as well as the inclusion of other Spanish regional languages, will showcase the diversity and richness of Spanish culture in Colombia.
The Bogotá Book Fair has become one of the largest literary events in the Spanish-speaking world, attracting diverse authors, intellectuals, and readers from around the globe. The announcement of Spain as the guest of honor for the 2025 edition marks a significant milestone in the fair’s history, strengthening cultural ties between Spain and Colombia. The event will serve as a platform for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration between Spanish and Colombian literary communities, promoting literature as a vehicle for peace and understanding in a world plagued by conflict.
