Global Courant
Barely seven months after its last edition, the International Book Fair in Guatemala (Filgua) has once again aroused the curiosity and enthusiasm of people of different ages who, since June 6, have been able to visit more than 155 stands with sales of books, as well as dozens of cultural activities.
For the consecutive year, Filgua takes place at the facilities of Fórum Majadas (Zone 11 of the capital) where the twentieth edition is currently taking place, which, in addition to being dedicated to the Guatemalan writer Dante Liano and including El Salvador as a guest country, has sought to generate a special bond with the youngest readers.
As the president of the fair commented a few days ago to Prensa Libre, this year one of the main focuses is aimed at capturing the attention of children and young people.
Taking this premise into account, the organizers decided that the fair would be held between July 6 and 16, coinciding with the school season. Likewise, another of the proposals consisted of inviting international authors and figures whose work is oriented to the young generations.
One of the most significant events during the first weekend of the Filgua had to do precisely with the arrival of the Mexican writer and Youtuber Bobicraft, author of the books Bobicraft and the powerful treasure and Bobicraft and the underwater secret.
At least during the last edition of the fair, in November 2022, 30,000 young people and children attended. (Free Press Photo: María José Bonilla)
The arrival of the Mexican to Filgua was planned so that on Saturday, July 8, starting at 3:00 p.m., the author would spend time with his followers at a book signing.
For many of those attending the fair, this was a great surprise since the queue to approach the author did not stop until 1 am on Sunday, January 9. “The atmosphere has been incredible,” said Bobicraft in a video shared through Filgua’s Instagram account.
Fernanda Castañaza, 26 years old and a resident of Zone 1, Filgua has been a place of novelties and encounters with worlds through reading. However, she says that this year the greatest amazement for her was with the author Bobicraft and the passion with which this writer mobilized hundreds of children with his parents.
“I started to hear a lot of kids yelling “Bobi! Bobi!” And I asked a lady who she was. She explained to me that she was a children’s writer. The queue that she made for him to sign books turned the place around. I felt excited to see it and to know that the children now like to read and that there are spaces to celebrate it,” shared Castañaza.
The writer Bobicraft (center) signed books until before 01:00 in the morning in Filgua. (Free Press Photo: Courtesy Filgua)
On the other hand, the contests and workshops have occupied an important place for the bond with the little ones during the Filgua. One of those activities that stood out was the Tell me your story contest, promoted by Editorial Piedrasanta, and which aims to encourage reading and literary creation from an early age.
The contest brought together 10 minors from different parts of the country who were awarded with the publication of their stories. Among them, Emily García, author of La Luna Caída, stood out.
“I love the moon a lot so I asked myself what would happen if the moon fell? And that was how I wanted to put it in one of my writings”, commented the little writer.
Emily García holds her book recently published by Editorial Piedrasanta. (Free Press Photo: Álvaro González)
Lía Michelle Cordón Lemus, 10 years old, also a participant in this space, shared that her story entitled La Chancla is inspired by a family moment: “Our story is inspired by a trip we took with our parents to the beach at Easter where a the mother lost her flip-flop”.
For Jimena García, another of the small winners in the Tell me your story contest, she assured that reading can reveal a new opportunity for imagination to anyone.
With a big smile, the author shared: “Reading can be a great adventure, it can take you to worlds that even you could not imagine just by opening a few pages.”
The Cuéntame tu Cuento contest celebrated the work of 10 small authors. (Free Press Photo: Álvaro González)
As well as the children and young people, the adults also shared the minors’ passion for reading during the first weekend.
Aroldo Galindo, the father of a family who arrived in Filgua this past July 8, assured that mobilizing children to read is important so that they forge responsibilities.
“It is important that parents motivate their children. It is something that will stay with them. I have a little trick and the fact of adding something special to them in the final part of the book to motivate them”, shared Galindo.
On the other hand, Selena Torres, mother of a family, shared the importance of generating this responsibility with minors. As explained by the assistant to Filgua, thanks to the words “the vocabulary is expanded and it is a form of healthy entertainment”.
