FIL: A Cultural Bridge

Founded in 1987 by the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Book Fair —FIL— is the largest market in the world for Spanish language publications Year after year publishers, literary agents, promotors of reading, translators, distribuitors and librarians walk down the aisles of FIL carrying out commercial and professional exchanges. Furthermore, half a million people visit during the nine days of FIL, immersing themselves in books and taking advantage of one of the most important cultural festivals in Latin America.

Publishers from 40 countries exhibit at FIL © FIL

A few statistics will give you an idea of FIL's importance: 26,000 square meters of exhibit space, with an annual average of more than 1,600 publishers representing 40 countries; a cultural program offering over 600 hours of events; and more than 300 book presentations. In all, FIL brings over $10 million dollars in economic benefits to the city of Guadalajara. Every year, over 100,000 young people visit the Fair.

Beyond the statistics, FIL is a vital and concrete repository of Latin American culture. In its three main areas of activity (publishing, academics and culture), FIL has become the meeting point for discussions and debates on contemporary culture. Writers, scholars, artists, intellectuals and other individuals interested in the exchange of ideas on cultural issues take part in FIL each year.

Nobel Laureate José Saramago at FIL 2004 © Bernardo de Niz/FIL

FIL is also a unique opportunity to renew those links which unite Mexico and Latin America to other cultures. Since 1993, FIL has had either a country or region as its Guest of Honor, giving it a venue to display the very best of its literary and cultural talents. Colombia (1993), New Mexico (1994), Venezuela (1995), Canada (1996), Argentina (1997), Puerto Rico (1998), Chile (1999), Spain (2000), Brazil (2001), Cuba (2002), Quebec (2003), Catalonian Culture (2004), Peru (2005), Andalusia (2006) and Colombia (2007) have already been featured. Italy will be our Guest of Honor for 2008.

As part of its efforts to maintain high literary standards and to encourage cultural development, FIL has supported the creation of awards that are presented annually. The FIL Literary Prize bestowed by the Civil Association of the Juan Rulfo Latin American and Caribbean Literature Prize, founded in 1991 by the Universidad de Guadalajara, offers a $100,000 award and recognizes the lifetime achievement of an important literary writer. Seventeen of the most important contemporary Latin American authors —Nicanor Parra, Juan José Arreola, Eliseo Diego, Julio Ramón Ribeyro, Nélida Piñón, Augusto Monterroso, Juan Marsé, Olga Orozco, Sergio Pitol, Juan Gelman, Juan García Ponce, Cintio Vitier, Rubem Fonseca, Juan Goytisolo, Tomás Segovia, Carlos Monsiváis and Fernando del Paso— have been honored with this prize.

Roberto Calasso receiving the 2004 Publisher Prize © Mayra Kitroser/FIL

The Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize, created in 1993, recognizes an important novel written in the Spanish language by a female author. The Publishing Merit Award has been bestowed on exemplary editors-those who serve as a bridge between the manuscript and the reader. Winners include Arnaldo Orfila Reynal, Joaquín Díez-Canedo, Neus Espresate, Jack McClelland, Kuki Miller and Daniel Divinsky, Jesús de Polanco, Beatriz de Moura, Antoine Gallimard, Alí Chumacero, Jorge Herralde, Francisco Porrúa, Roberto Calasso, Morgan Entrekin, Inge Feltrinelli and Christian Bourgois.

Other honors presented during FIL include: the Fernando Benítez National Cultural Journalism Award, founded in 1991, which consists of tributes to an important journalist in the cultural sector; the ArpaFIL Prize, given to a young architect, which honors an individual's contribution to architecture or urban studies; the Tribute to a Bibliophile, created in 2001; and the Tribute to a Librarian, created in 2002.