Between beers, coffee and conversations on foot booth, The second edition of Back to the Book turns the Casa del Lector (Matadero Madrid) into a meeting point for those who read, edit, and recommend books. For three days, the venue hosts a continuous program of talks, signings, and music focused on the independent publishers and its community of readers.
With the spirit of a festival - and not so much of a traditional fair - the event focuses on the bibliodiversity and a relaxed atmosphere in which the book is integrated into everyday life. Powered by Giuseppe Grosso and Alfonso Zuriaga From the Altamarea label, the event brings together labels from both sides of the Atlantic and proposes an itinerary that combines creation, debate and enjoyment without solemnities.
What it is and who drives it
Born from the experience of Altamarea and its relationship with the neighborhood of Arganzuela, Back to the Book starts from a simple idea: to create a space for exchange between editors and readers where the catalogues speak for themselves. Grosso and Zuriaga, who started out in converted living rooms, are now bringing that energy to a festival with vocation of community.
The project focuses on the neighborhood and also on the international scene. The event includes event managers who served as inspiration—such as the Buenos Aires Publishers Fair, Più libri più liberi from Rome, La Furia del Libro in Santiago de Chile or La Otra Feria in Mexico City—to knit transatlantic alliances and share learning.
Organizationally, the team works without private sponsors, with small public aid and membership fees. stands of the participating labels. This commitment is deliberate and reflects an idea that is repeated in the sector: the festival is, in its own way, a defense of independence and a sustainable cultural economy.
Dates, times and place
The agenda is concentrated on Friday 12 to Sunday 14 of September in the Reader's House (Paseo de la Chopera, 14), within Matadero Madrid. Scheduled hours are: Friday, 16:00 PM to 21:00 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM to 21:00 PM; and Sunday, 11:00 AM to 20:00 PM, with continuous activities and several spaces operating simultaneously.
Access to the site is Free until full capacity, while some workshops are paidIn addition to the editorial stands, visitors will find a beer bar, specialty coffee Served by Dot Café Bar and a comfortable book bar for leisurely browsing and calmly choosing your reading material.
Program and featured activities
The lineup brings together leading voices and a varied lineup. Among the most anticipated names are Mariana Enriquez —who revives his novel How to Disappear Completely—, Martha Sanz, Sabina Urraca, Carolina Yuste, Nacho Vegas y Blanca Lacasa, along with editors and disseminators who will be presenting their latest developments.
The content combines literary conversations and current affairs. There will be a panel on Writing contemporary Madrid to MarÃa Ovelar, Diana Aller y Laura Moreno; and a dialogue about Democracies in extinction in the age of revenge to Andrea Rizzi y steven fortiA poetry recital has also been scheduled with Jaime RodrÃguez Zavaleta, Sofia Balbuena y Helena Mariño.
The festival reserves space for practice. The return of the fanzine workshops —with proposals such as those of They're watching us, baby. y Lara Martinez, which invite us to rethink the materiality of the book—, and adds a photography and literature workshop full-time. There will be writing sessions with Sara barquinero y Carla Nyman, graphic humor with Loreta Lion, children's activities and live podcast.
To open the transoceanic conversation, a transoceanic colloquium to Hernan Lopez (Buenos Aires Editors' Fair), Galo Ghigliotto (Santiago Book Fair), Mauricio Sánchez (The Other Fair, Mexico City) and Fabio del Giudice (Più libri più liberi, Rome). Added to this are dj sets throughout the day, reinforcing the festive character that distinguishes Back to the Book.
Participating publishers and bibliodiversity
Participate about 70 publishing houses from Spain and Latin America, with a mix of veteran and emerging labels. Among others, the following will be present: Rag tongue, Nordic, Transit, Wunderkammer, Fund of Economic Culture, Captain swing, Black box, CHAI Editora, Eterna Cadencia and projects like Blatt & RÃos, Raft, Gatopardo Editions o Infinity Doll.
The choice of catalogue points to the so-called "middle class of the edition», which takes risks with less predictable authors, genres, and formats. This bibliodiversity is accompanied by an accessibility policy: Entrance is free and the idea - as some organizers and colleagues in the sector point out - is that the money is invested in buy books, not in accessing them.
The first edition, held at the same venue, brought together thousands of visitors, with more than 7.000 attendees, 3.500 books sold, 42 publishers and 20 authors. This year, the growth of the program and the presence of Latin American stamps They strengthen the cultural bridge between shores and consolidate Back to the Book as a fixed event on the Madrid calendar.
Anyone who visits Matadero will find an open atmosphere where they can chat with editors, discover authors who are off the mainstream radar, and listen to music while browsing new releases. stands, workshops and signingsThe experience offers a leisurely stroll and a chance to be surprised by carefully curated catalogues, all in the comfort of an accessible and well-connected venue.
