The city of Teruel once again embraces books and comics with a new edition of the Teruel Book and Comic Book FairFor several days, La Glorieta becomes a meeting point for readers, authors, bookstores, and publishers. The area is filled with stalls, talks, signings, and activities that aim to bring reading closer to all kinds of audiences, from the youngest children to fans of historical novels, comics, or poetry.
The competition, which is already celebrating its eleventh editionThe event takes place between Thursday, May 7th and Sunday, May 10th in the heart of the city. Throughout these days, the program combines presentations of new publications, meetings with writers, children's workshops, educational activities, and literary events of diverse nature, solidifying the fair as a key cultural and social event in Teruel.
Dates, venue and organization of the fair
The 11th Teruel Book and Comic Book Fair is being held 7 to 10 May in La Glorieta, a space that has become the regular venue for this event. This year, 25 booths have been set up, which remain open for four days with continuous morning and afternoon hours, adapted to the schedules of presentations and activities.
The event is coordinated by the Provincial Association of Booksellers of TeruelIn collaboration with several public institutions: the Teruel Provincial Council, the Government of Aragon, and the Teruel City Council. Along with these entities, the Aragon Publishers' Guild, Caja Rural de Teruel, the Térvalis Foundation, and the Teruel Community Region also participate, providing logistical and financial support to make the program possible.
The organization has planned, as in previous years, a covered tent Next to the main stage, a space is set up to ensure that activities can continue even if it rains over the weekend. This area hosts book presentations, signings, and many meetings between authors and readers.
Beyond its strictly literary component, the fair is conceived as a meeting point for the public. From an institutional perspective, it is emphasized that it functions as cultural and social appeal, where city residents, visitors from the province, and reading enthusiasts of different backgrounds mix.
Town crier, authorities and the meaning of the inauguration
The official start of the competition features the writer from Teruel. Sebastian RoaRoa, who was in charge of delivering the opening address on Thursday at 7:00 p.m., is known for his historical novels. He opened the fair with a speech focused on the journey that reading represents and the role of books throughout life.
During his presentation, the author recalled how certain readings shape personal development and help to build independent judgment. In his case, he cited titles such as "The Path" by Miguel Delibes, Homer's "Iliad" or Dante's "Divine Comedy" as works that accompanied him through different stages of his life. He also evoked the old Casa Dominguín kiosk, which he referred to as an imaginary port from which to embark on journeys to distant worlds through books.
Several authorities were present at the inauguration, including the Director General of Culture of the Government of Aragon, Pedro Olloqui, the mayor of Teruel Emma Buj, the president of the Provincial Council Joaquín Juste and representatives of the book sector such as the president of the Teruel booksellers, Tomás Cirugeda.
Olloqui emphasized the support that the citizens of Aragon offer to the region's literature and linked the fair to other events that have been taking place in the community, such as the Book Day in ZaragozaIn his opinion, meetings like the one in Teruel are part of a “book fair season” which reinforces the role of the book in Aragonese cultural life and encourages residents of the city and province to visit the booths.
Participating exhibitors, bookstores and publishers
The 11th edition brings together over twenty participants representing bookstores, publishers, and cultural organizations from Teruel, Aragon, and other parts of Spain. Among the exhibitors are: School Bookstore, Perruca-Senda, Tilos, Zombies and Princesses and The Upside-Down Kingdom (from Andorra), together with the Institute of Teruel Studies and other specialized labels.
In the publishing sector, the fair features the presence of Prames, Gara d'Edizions, Libros del Gato Negro, Libros del Innombrable, Sin Cabeza, Hola Monstruo, Mala Vida (Cómic), Cosquillas, Xordica, Taula, Acrotera, Onagro, Prensas de la Universidad de Zaragoza, Olifante, Fundación Térvalis, Alma Editorial, Gp Ediciones and a guest publisher of national character, which adds an extra booth to the usual ones.
One of the reinforced presences in this edition is that of the Poets for Teruel Platformwhich has its own stand. There you can find poetry collections and other new releases by authors such as Cristina Giménez, Nacho Escuín, Mario Lafuente and other names linked to contemporary poetry from Teruel.
The combination of bookstores, independent publishers, university presses, and local projects allows visitors to access a very wide catalog: from comics and graphic novels to narrative, historical popularization, children's literature, poetry and essay, as in the Valencia Comic FairThis mix of profiles, along with direct contact with authors and publishers, is one of the fair's defining features.
Guest authors and leading figures in the field
Throughout the four days, they are scheduled to perform on the stage and in the booths. 45 authorsSome of them are well-known nationally, while others have direct ties to Teruel and Aragon. Among the prominent names are Fernando Jáuregui, Elsa Punset, Blue Jeans, and Antón Castro, who share the program with figures such as Luz Gabás, Julián Casanova, José Luis Corral, and Manuel Vilas.
The list also includes a large group of Aragonese and Teruel authors, such as Sandra Aragüás, Alicia Blasco, David Alegre, Juan Villalba, Cristina Armunia, Adrián Collados, and members of the Platform of Poets for Teruel. This mix of established names and emerging voices reinforces the fair's commitment to serving as a showcase for local literary creation.
Poetry will have a significant presence in the program. A special tribute event will be held on Saturday afternoon. Marina Heredia, founder of the Aragonese publishing house Los Libros del Gato Negro, who passed away in November 2025. At this event, the first publications of the new stage of the imprint are presented, with works such as "I don't want to be forgotten" and "Endless Leaf Storm".
Alongside traditional signings and presentations, the fair also opens space to related disciplines, such as music linked to literary projectsOn Sunday, as the closing of the event, Mario Lafuente is scheduled to perform, presenting the songs from his LP "El viaje de Ciro", an artistic project that also includes a novel published by Los Libros del Gato Negro.
New publications and featured proposals
One of the program's biggest draws is the New publications being presented for the first time in TeruelAmong the narrative and essay works that parade through the fair are titles such as "Heart of Gold" by Luz Gabás, "Spain Divided in Two" by Julián Casanova (adapted into a comic book together with the illustrator Carles Esquembre), "Burned" by Fernando Jáuregui or "The Apostle's Revenge" by Isabel San Sebastián.
Young adult literature is also represented with releases such as “The Fosbury 15” by Blue JeansMeanwhile, popular science and self-help books find their place with Elsa Punset's "Wings to Fly." In the field of Aragonese history and culture, historian José Luis Corral presents "Myths and Legends of Aragon," a work that compiles stories and traditions from the region.
On Sunday, other proposals are added, such as "Historical Stories" by Pedro Cifuentes, a comic from Molino Editorial that reviews historical episodes in a graphic style, or "Ramses II" by Santiago Mora, a novel that approaches ancient Egypt and that is presented in the midday slot on the main stage.
In the field of local research and dissemination, the Institute of Teruel Studies of the Provincial Council takes advantage of the fair to publicize several recent works: "Incunabula bibliographical treasures: Diocese of Teruel and Albarracín", "Symphony in D major" by Indalecio Soriano Fuertes, volumes from the Teruel Journalists Collection dedicated to Pilar Narvión, and titles from the Teruel Handbooks Collection on truffles in Teruel and modernist architecture in the city and province.
New releases from the publisher Bala Perdida also have their place, such as "Bastardía" by Enrique Cabezón and "Días de purpurina y percebes" by Fee Reega, which are presented in the final stretch of the program. All of this creates an offering that combines... historical novels, contemporary fiction, comics, poetry, children's books, and essays on local themes.
Daily programming and activities for all audiences
The fair's program is spread across the morning and afternoon of each day, with a schedule that aims to combine presentations, signings and workshopsMornings are usually geared towards children and families, while the afternoon is dedicated to most literary and comic book presentations.
On one of the central days, the afternoon begins with the story "The Moon Plays Mischief" by Luisa ValdivielsoPublished by Babidibú Editorial, this book, aimed at children between 4 and 6 years old, uses simple language to explain basic astronomy concepts such as gravity, the Moon's orbit, and eclipses. It also includes an educational workbook and craft suggestions for building a pinhole camera with household materials.
Shortly afterwards, the program continues with the presentation of "Coco. An Unexpected Journey" Led by Patricia Gayán, the event also featured presentations from the publishing house Tacita y Media, along with Comando Mapache and the writer Joaquín Berges. Later in the fair, Juan Villalba from Teruel joined the discussion about his book "Jota de cine," further highlighting the presence of local authors on the program.
The organization structures the presentations into time slots, generally between 11:00 and 14:00 in the morning and from 17:30 onwards in the afternoon. This distribution allows visitors to alternate strolling through the booths with attending talks, signings, and presentation tableswithout saturating any specific time slot.
Sunday, the final day, is reserved for the closing presentations of comics, narrative fiction, and research, and for the musical closing ceremony. In this way, the closing event maintains the festive character of the book, with a cultural component that extends beyond the strictly literary format.
Children's workshops, mathematics and educational activities
One of the strengths of the Teruel Book and Comic Fair is its emphasis on the activities aimed at children and young peoplewhich go beyond simply encouraging reading. In addition to children's stories and presentations, the program includes specific workshops in mathematics, science, and artistic creation.
In the math workshop area, about fifteen teachers show the kids that math is more than just addition and subtraction: they work on... chance, geometry, arithmetic, and reasoning through games and activities adapted to different ages. Participants receive a small passport that they must get stamped at each activity, with the possibility of winning a prize upon completing the course.
Carmen Soguero, a teacher who has been involved in this project for years, explains that the subject carries an image of difficulty and boredom that weighs on students even before they enter the classroom. Therefore, the objective of these workshops, organized in collaboration with the Pedro Sánchez Ciruelo Aragonese Society of Mathematics Teachers, is to present the discipline in a playful and hands-on way, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving.
The area dedicated to illustrators and children's comics is also very busy. One of the liveliest booths is the one shared by... Xcar Malavida and Luis OrúsAragonese illustrators who sign books for children and adults. With jokes, personalized dedications, and impromptu drawings, they turn each signing into a little experience for the youngest readers.
Alongside these proposals, the fair incorporates activities of historical dissemination and reflection on the European and Spanish past, especially through the presentations of historical comics and historical recreation novels, which have become established as an effective way to bring history closer to new generations.
Comics and historical novels as gateways to memory
The historical dimension has a notable presence at the fair, both in the form of comics and novels. The historian Julian Casanova presents the graphic adaptation of "Spain divided in two" together with the illustrator Carles Esquembre, a work that addresses the Spanish Civil War and is presented as a tool to visually explain complex episodes of contemporary history.
Casanova argues that, provided they have a good script and careful artwork, comics offer a "social snapshot" that allows for understanding historical processes in less time and in a more accessible format. In a context of accelerated change and multimedia consumption, he believes that these kinds of works are an effective way to reach young people and facilitate their understanding. knowledge of Europe's recent past.
In his presentations, the historian emphasizes the importance of new generations understanding what happened on the continent and in Spain during the 1930s and 40s, a period marked by a profound crisis of democratic values and an escalation of violence, ethnic cleansing, and policies of extermination. In his view, understanding that period is key to appreciating democracy today and the role of information in a world characterized by polarized discourse.
In the same field of historical reenactment, Isabel San Sebastian She presents "The Apostle's Revenge," the seventh installment in her saga about the Spanish Reconquista, told from a perspective that incorporates female voices and adventure situations. The author emphasizes the need for historical novels to be rigorous in their portrayal of the context, mentalities, and ways of life of each era, avoiding presentism and anachronistic interpretations.
San Sebastián also points to the lack of historical content at certain educational levels and emphasizes the importance of "recovering" that knowledge through literature, recalling Spain's role as relevant actor in shaping the modern worldAt the fair, these kinds of reflections are interwoven with book signings and informal meetings with readers, who take the opportunity to share impressions and ask questions.
A space for poetry, comics and illustration
Poetry plays a visible role thanks to the work of Poets for Teruel Platform The events planned around the publishing house Los Libros del Gato Negro are already underway. The tribute to Marina Heredia, with the presentation of poetry collections by Cristina Giménez, Ángel Portolés, and Olga Bernad, focuses on current poetic creation in Aragon and the continuity of independent publishing projects.
Furthermore, during the fair days, the following events take place: comic book and illustration signingsWith authors who not only sign copies but often accompany their dedications with a quick sketch or a personalized cartoon, the booths become small spaces for live creative work, especially appreciated by children and young people.
The presence of Alma Editorial, specializing in illustrated classics, adds another visual dimension to the event. Their meticulously crafted editions of canonical works allow visitors to engage with world literature through volumes that combine illustration, design and classic textswhich is especially appealing to those who value the book as an object.
There's also room for more mature graphic narratives, from titles exploring historical episodes to humor comics and autobiographical works. This diversity confirms that comics have established themselves at the fair as a cross-section format, capable of connecting with readers of very different ages and tastes.
In parallel, the tradition of organizing drawing and comic creation workshops for children is maintained, in which basic aspects such as character design, story sequencing and the combination of text and image are worked on, thus reinforcing the role of the fair as a space for creative initiation.
Posters, atmosphere and life in the booths
The poster for this edition was designed by Israel GomezThe creator of Hola Monstruo has chosen to transform the La Glorieta kiosk into a central character surrounded by recognizable figures from comics and literature. The illustration, created specifically for the fair, serves as the event's identifying image on all promotional materials.
On the ground, the Glorieta has a lively atmosphere even on days with unsettled weather. Although at times the sky is overcast or it drizzles, the flow of visitors remains constant, with families, groups of friends, and readers stopping to browse books, chat with authors, and participate in activities.
The stalls selling children's comics and graphic humor are usually among the busiest, with queues of children waiting their turn to get a signed copy with a drawing included. Many of these signings are a mix of... jokes, improvisation, and closenesscreating a relaxed atmosphere that facilitates contact between authors and the public.
In other areas of the fair, such as those dedicated to local research or poetry, the atmosphere is more relaxed, with time for quiet conversations and inquiries about catalogs and collections. This variety of rhythms and environments reflects the plurality of interests that coexist around books and comics in the city.
The combination makes the fair function not only as a publishing showcase, but also as thermometer of reading interest in Teruel and its surroundingswhere one perceives a mixture of curiosity for novelty, a desire to discover local authors, and loyalty to certain publishers and collections.
Discounts, institutional support and a role in the cultural calendar
During the days the fair lasts, all books are sold with a 10% discountThis incentive helps encourage purchases and adds to the appeal of being able to speak directly with the authors or editors. This discount applies across all booths, solidifying the event as a great opportunity to expand your personal library or get a head start on gifts.
The institutions that support the event insist that the fair is part of a broader strategy to promote reading and support the book sector in Aragon. The administrations involved emphasize the importance of maintaining these types of events in medium-sized cities, where their cultural and social impact is especially visible.
The continuity of the Teruel Book and Comic Fair over eleven editions reinforces the idea that there is a stable audience interested in literature, comics, and educational outreach, and that the combination of free activities, appearances by prominent authors, workshops and discounts This proves to be an effective formula for revitalizing local cultural life.
Within the context of the Spanish book fair calendar, the Teruel event takes place during a particularly active period, shortly after the celebrations of Day of the book and Saint George. This allows for linking together different initiatives to support reading and maintaining the focus on the book as a cultural asset for several weeks.
In this way, the Teruel Book and Comic Book Fair is consolidating itself as a meeting point where the passion for reading, the love of comics, the interest in history and the curiosity for local creativity all come together in a friendly atmosphere where the booths, the stage and the walks around La Glorieta They become the protagonists during four intense days.
