Basque-language literature to feature prominently at the Guadalajara International Book Fair

Arantxa Urretabizkaia, Bernardo Atxaga, Karmele Jaio, Kirmen Uribe and Katixa Agirre will showcase the richness and diversity of literature in Basque at the most important publishing gathering in Latin America. FIL, the Guadalajara International Book Fair, serves as a meeting point for hundreds of writers and publishers, as well as thousands of professionals and culture enthusiasts. This event will take place from November 30 to December 8, featuring more Basque authors than ever before.

After several presentations in Mexico City, Arantxa Urretabizkaia comes to Guadalajara with her latest work under her arm. ‘Azken etxea´ (Pamiela, 2022) was awarded the Euskadi Literature Prize and the 111 Akademia Saria. After being translated into Spanish by the publishing house Consonni under the title ´La última casa´, Urretabizkaia will present the book to readers and professionals on December 3, first at the FIL and later at the renowned bookstore Impronta in the city.

On 2 December, as part of the FIL initiative to encourage reading among young people, Urretabizkaia will attend a meeting with students at a school in the city. Also on 2 December, she will reflect on the feminist struggle for equality with Norwegian writer Marta Breen and Chilean author Lina Meruane at the event ´En voz alta: el eco feminista´, organised by the Etxepare Basque Institute, Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA) and the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage of the Government of Chile.

On 3 December, Karmele Jaio will join Raquel Lanseros and Jordi Soler in a conversation revolving around creation and love titled ‘Érase una vez el amor’. On 4 December, Kirmen Uribe will talk about journeys of no return with Antonio Altarriba, Gioconda Belli and Karina Sainz Borgo. And on 5 December, he will join Bernardo Esquinca and Patricio Pron to talk about new takes on masculinity: ‘Nuevas masculinidades: ¿deconstruir para construir mejores hombres?´. The three authors will discuss the role of men today and their relationship with the patriarchal system, examining machismo in Mexico and exploring the quest for a renewed form of masculinity.

Bernardo Atxaga and Katixa Agirre will be at the FIL on 5 December. Atxaga will take part in ´Paraísos personales´ together with Julieta Valero. Agirre will talk about imaginary worlds with Laura Fernández in ´Do you dream of electric sheep´. Finally, they will hold meetings with high school students in two of the city´s secondary schools.

This broad participation of Basque-language writers will offer a unique opportunity to present creation in Euskara to new audiences, as well as strengthen ties with Mexico and Latin America and foster cultural exchange. Similarly, to enhance the visibility and impact of literature in Basque, the Etxepare Basque Institute has supplemented the authors´ agenda with promotional activities and media interviews.

Since 2011, the Etxepare Basque Institute has been promoting the participation of writers in Basque in the FIL, offering readers and professionals from Mexico and Latin America the opportunity to discover literature in the Basque language. In previous years, the FIL has featured voices including Unai Elorriaga, Miren Agur Meabe, Harkaitz Cano, Anjel Lertxundi and Eider Rodríguez.

Illustrators and publishers at the FIL

The FIL is a key publishing event that will also include illustrators and publishers from the Basque Country. They will engage in various professional activities, with the Basque. Books stand as their meeting point.

Organised by the Professional Association of Illustrators of the Basque Country, with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute and the Basque Government, the fair will host the 11th FILustra Illustration Forum from 30 November to 1 December. FILustra will host a dozen workshops and conferences exploring how illustration addresses themes such as travel, pain, and the rural environment. This event aims to foster conversation and creative exchange among illustrators. Basque illustrators Araiz Mesanza, Higina Garay, Elena Odriozola, Maite Caballero and Yolanda Mosquera will take part in the event.

Finally, singer-songwriter Ruper Odorika will be at FIL to present his album ´Amour eta toujours´ as part of a series of concerts at the FIL Forum.

International Day of the Basque Language at the FIL

On December 3, in celebration of the International Day of the Basque Language, the Etxepare Basque Institute will host a meeting with Basque writers, publishers, and illustrators attending the fair. In this way, the Etxepare Basque Institute reinforces its commitment to promoting Basque culture internationally and contributing to cultural diversity.

FIL Guadalajara: Latin America´s leading publishing event

The 38th Guadalajara International Book Fair will take place from 30 November to 8 December. The FIL is one of the world’s leading literary events, and the year’s most important gatherings of the Latin American and Spanish-language publishing sector.

This year, Spain will be the guest of honour, presenting itself as a bridge between Europe and Latin America under the slogan ‘Camino de ida y vuelta’. The cultural programme will focus on themes of gender equality, linguistic diversity and sustainability.

The full programme of the 38th FIL will include over three thousand events: literary, academic, scientific, artistic and professional, as well as children´s and youth activities. The includes over 850 writers from 43 countries and 19 different languages, featuring a variety of programmes that reflect different regions, movements, and genres, including prominent figures in contemporary literature. Over nine days, the FIL expects to attract more than 800,000 visitors.