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Andalusia, FIL 2006 Guest of Honor
Andalusia will exhibit both its historical cultural traditions and contemporary trends in the upcoming edition of FIL Guadalajara
Begun twenty years ago by the University of Guadalajara, The Guadalajara International Book Fair —FIL Guadalajara— is presently the most important book market for Spanish-language publications in the world. Furthermore, FIL is a unique opportunity to renew contacts that unite Mexico and Latin America with other cultures and languages.
Andalusía is the 2006 Guest of Honor at FIL Guadalajara—this will allow it to showcase its editorial production as well as its culture in Mexico and also allow it to extend its cultural ties with all of Latin America.
From a universal cultural perspective, Andalusía wants to project its plurality and dynamism and to be an example of the on-going development, scientific and technological research and creativity in all the arts. At the same time it hopes to safeguard its historical and environmental patrimony as it improves the quality of life of its citizens.
Andalusia has designed a special pavilion —Andalusia: Landscape and Words— to celebrate being the 2006 FIL Guadalajara Guest of Honor. It invites the general public to come to FIL to learn more about Andalusia and its people. It has created a number of venues—a literary café; the opportunity to sample Andalusian cuisine; the daily readings and presentations, the colors and smells of Andalusia, which will serve to underscore and project the experience of Andalusia's everyday life.
The presence of Andalusía will be seen in its ambitious literary, publishing and academic program and in its shows and exhibits, which attempt to display the diversity of its culture, always balanced between tradition and modernity and history and the avant-garde.
Andalusia's literary program in FIL will have as its vertical axis the experience of exile, a vital experience that has clearly marked the lives of some of the most important Andalusian intellectuals of our times. Many distinguished writers were born in Andalusia and were forced to leave their homeland and settle in Mexico. Because of this, an intense and fruitful cultural exchange developed similarities and affinities in the literary field between Andalusía and Mexico, that has continued to the present day and which will be amply illustrated in the program which the Ministry of Culture is bringing to FIL 2006.
As part of this program, there will be special tribute paid to Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez and Francisco Ayala, two experts in exile and exponents of 20th century ideas and literature.
Among the more than sixty visiting Andalusian writers will be Pablo García Baena, José Manuel Caballero Bonald, María Victoria Atencia, Carlos Castilla del Pino, Antonio Gala and Carlos Edmundo de Ory. This program will bring together and display Andalusia's literary accomplishments under such titles as "Views of Andalusia", "Poetry in Time", "A Sea of Words", "The Paths of Poetry" and "Landscapes from the South," which have been developed to entice the general public.
Year after year, an academic program is developed for FIL, attracting important scholars and intellectuals. Nearly twenty forums in a variety of formats —conferences, colloquia, workshops and round tables will take place in a variety of fields including: the social sciences; pedagogical research; legal cases; communication; history; Baroque Art; gender studies; and philosophy and nature. Noteworthy among these events is former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González's conference on "Culture and Peace."
The children's events will focus on poet Federico García Lorca and the Andalusian short story, which underscores the importance the Ministry of Culture attaches to promoting reading among young children.
There will also be an important Andalusian film festival of the most important full-length films, shorts and documentaries of the last decade. FIL will also feature the Ballet Flamenco of Andalusia, with Cristina Hoyos and Solas of the Centro Andaluz de Teatro. At the same time, important Andalusian musical performers and groups such as Antonio "El Pipa", Carmen Linares, Chambao, Danza Invisible, Diego Carrasco, Efecto Mariposa, Javier Ruibal, Joaquín Sabina, Kiko Veneno, Los Delinqüentes, Martirio, Miguel Ríos, Niña Pastori and Tomasito will be performing at the FIL Esplanade and will display great artistic and cultural variety.
In the art field, there will be exhibits of "20th Century Picasso in Malaga" and other shows dedicated to painters Luis Gordillo and Manuel Quejido, as well as photography exhibits entitled "AFAL 1956/63" and Manuel Falce's "José Ángel Valente: Para siempre: la sombra". The most recent trends will also have their venue in "Prueba de resistencia," which will bring together artists from Andalusia and Guadalajara. There will also be other exhibits of a documentary and informative nature, which will attempt to give a view of present-day Andalusia—its landscape, people and culture. At the same time, these exhibits will offer a historical overview of Andalusia's relationship with Latin America and especially with Mexico, in shows such as "Baroque Andalusia," and "Profiles of Andalusia. Images of the EFE AGENCY" and, in particular, the print and literary connections in the exhibit of the Republican Spanish Exile, which can be seen in the Andalusian pavilion during the nine days of FIL.
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