The news has been received as a jug of cold water in the Madrid publishing sector this Monday. The Madrid Association of Booksellers has announced the immediate dismissal of Eva OrĂșe, who has led the Madrid Book Fair since 2022. The journalist, who made history by becoming the first woman to lead the event in eight decades, is unexpectedly stepping down from her position just three weeks after closing the last edition in the Retiro gardens.
OrĂșe herself has confirmed that it is an immediate dismissal communicated this morning and, although she has preferred to remain discreet for reasons of confidentiality, she has made it clear that does not share the reasons given by the organization. Despite this disagreement, the former director has acknowledged that the association has the legal authority to terminate her contract, bringing to an end a period she herself has described as intense and fully dedicated to strengthening bibliographic culture in the capital.
A departure framed within a strategic cycle change
From the Madrid Booksellers Association, its president, Luis M. Tigeras, sought to soften the impact of the announcement, explaining that this decision strictly reflects the will of start a new stage Organizational. According to the booksellers' guild, the goal now is to seek a renewal that brings fresh perspectives and focuses more deeply on the role of bookstores within the cultural ecosystem. For the organization, this is a natural evolution of the project that should not overshadow the work done to date.
While the search for a permanent replacement is underway, it has been confirmed that Pablo Bonet will take the reins Bonet, who until now served as the Fair's secretary, will be in charge of ensuring a smooth transition over the coming weeks. Bonet has guaranteed that the selection process will be open to everyone, seeking a candidate who can face the challenges ahead of the Fair without rushing, but with a renewed vision for the event.
The debate about the figures and external factors
One of the points that has generated the most comments is the financial balance of the 2026 edition, which closed with a turnover of almost 9,9 million eurosThis represents a 2,7% decrease compared to the previous year. However, the association's leadership has stated that this drop in sales is not related to OrĂșe's departure. They believe the results were influenced by factors beyond their control, such as the extreme temperatures during the first few days and the fact that the event coincided with large-scale events, which reduced the number of visitors to the venue.
Among these external factors, the visit of Pope Leo XIV to the capital stands out in particular, an event that It significantly complicated mobility in the center of Madrid, which, according to experts, discouraged many potential visitors. Furthermore, the city's cultural calendar was particularly packed with large concerts, which, combined with the unstable weather on some days, ultimately reduced the number of copies sold compared to the historical figures for 2025.
There has also been talk of some internal tensions with some exhibitors as a result of the Introduction of sponsored pavilionsThis is one of the new developments under OrĂșe's management. However, the association's official leadership insists that these disagreements were not the trigger for the split, but rather that they prefer to emphasize the progress made in sustainability and cultural programming, areas in which the fair has taken a significant leap forward under the leadership of the journalist from Zaragoza.
Unanimous support from editors for the outgoing management
The Madrid Publishers Association (AEM) responded swiftly, issuing a statement of strong support for Eva OrĂșe's work. Miguel Barrero, representing more than 320 publishing houses, emphasized that OrĂșe's team knew how to solve effectively and efficiently The challenges the Fair faced during these years. For publishers, especially small and medium-sized presses, the outgoing management ensured a bibliodiversity that is vital for the sector's survival in today's highly competitive environment.
Looking to the future, the organization already has its sights set on 2027, the year in which they will celebrate their long-awaited 50th anniversaryThe intention is that this change in leadership will serve to prepare for this anniversary with a renewed structure. The fair, which was recently declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, now seeks to balance its role as a major popular event with the commercial needs of its participants, while maintaining the spirit of encounter between authors and readers that makes it unique.
The dismissal of Eva OrĂșe marks the end of an era in which professionalism and female leadership have been at the forefront, setting a high standard for the quality of cultural programming offered in El Retiro Park. Despite disagreements about the reasons for her dismissal and a slight decline in sales this year, the Madrid Book Fair is now heading towards a redefinition of its model with an eye toward strengthening the role of traditional bookstores, ensuring that the transition to the new direction maintains the prestige of one of the most important literary events in all of Europe.
