La Santiago International Book Fair It returns for another edition at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center, solidifying its position as one of the most important literary events in the Southern Cone. The event, popularly known as FilsaIt brings together readers, publishers, authors, cultural institutions and universities for several days around books and reading.
With a programming that exceeds two hundred activitiesThe fair combines book presentations, professional seminars, workshops for all ages, artistic performances, and spaces for reflection on education, social inclusion, and public policy. All of this is presented in a format that alternates free admission days with paid admission days to encourage attendance from a diverse audience, especially from educational institutions.
A massive literary gathering at Estación Mapocho
The fair takes place in the Mapocho Station Cultural Center, the historic headquarters of Filsa, with an approximate continuous opening time of 11 to 00 pmFor several days, admission is free for everyone, which encourages visits from schools, families and readers looking to access new publications and cultural activities at no cost.
In the first days A strong presence of elementary and high school students has been noted, as they explore the various stands and spaces of the fair. Teachers and chaperones point out that the Filsa environment allows young people to engage with reading based on their own interests, with a range of genres from fantasy to manga.
Amongst the titles and styles most in demand by the school public Action, romance, horror, fantasy and comic books stand out; comics, graphic novels and manga collections also have a strong presence, formats that have been consolidating themselves for years as a gateway to reading for teenagers.
Alongside the guided tours, the organization maintains a mixed access regimeThere are free entry days until a certain time of the week, and tickets are required on subsequent days, although children up to 12 years old can enter free of charge on any date. This combination aims to balance large crowds with the event's economic sustainability.
The Los Lagos Region as Guest of Honor
One of the hallmarks of the edition is the Participation of the Los Lagos Region as Guest of HonorThis prominence is reflected in its own pavilion, a program of literary and artistic activities, and a strong presence of regional authorities, universities, and cultural groups.
El regional pavilion It is a structure of over one hundred square meters, built primarily of wood and designed by architecture students from the San Sebastián University, Patagonia Puerto Montt campus. This space serves as a showcase for local publishers, cultural projects, and artistic proposals linked to southern Chile.
In inaugural ceremonyThe event was attended by the President of the Republic, who toured the fair, visited the Los Lagos pavilion, and spoke with writers, musicians, and cultural managers from the region. The occasion demonstrated clear institutional support for the connection between books, the region, and decentralized cultural policies.
The opening ceremony included the presentation of the poet Rosabetty Muñoz and the interpretation of the cantata "Gabriela, mother, valley and seed"The performance, led by the Camerata and Choir of the University of Los Lagos, featured over a hundred musicians on stage. The presence of regional authorities—such as the governor of Los Lagos—and representatives from cultural and municipal departments reinforced the idea of ​​a region that presents itself as heritage and creative benchmark.
From Chilean Book Chamber It has been emphasized that the invitation to the Los Lagos region reflects an interest in showcasing the country's cultural diversity, with a focus on contemporary creation and the connection between tradition, territory, and artistic innovation. The region also hosts more than eighty of its own activities within the overall Filsa program.
Cultural program: music, tributes and workshops
The fair's schedule adds concerts, readings, artistic presentations and meetings with authors throughout all its days. A significant part of these activities is designed for a family audience, with a mix of live music, storytelling, and participatory experiences.
Among the scheduled milestones are presentations of creators linked to southern ChileThe performance by singer-songwriter and rapper Cata Efusiva, also a saxophonist and teacher from Puerto Montt, is a highlight. Her music blends urban styles with a strong personal touch. Also featured is the presentation of the book "Nunca se supo" by singer-songwriter Chinoy, a prominent figure in Chilean singer-songwriter music of recent decades.
La music listings It reserves a space for groups that connect tradition and experimentation. One of them is the band Anchoring, from the Island of Chiloé, who works on a creative fusion between indigenous sounds and contemporary styles, building a bridge between local memory and current languages.
Throughout the program, special exhibitions are also included, such as a medieval fencing demonstration in the Arts Hall, demonstrations of Rapa Nui dance with the dance group "Marama" and a piano concert by Karina Glasinovic, Chilean pianist, composer and academic linked to the Frutillar Musical Weeks.
In terms of tributes, one of the days included a Poetry recital dedicated to VÃctor JaraPrepared by academics from the University of Los Lagos. Accompanied by guitar, the authors sought to bring his figure closer from the intersection between poetry and music, underscoring the relevance of his legacy in Chilean cultural memory.
Filsa as a space for the library world
Beyond selling books and promoting reading, Filsa has established itself as a meeting point for library and education sectorThis edition featured the Library World Seminar under the title "Libraries and librarians as mediators of culture, education and inclusive social development".
The seminar, organized with the participation of Chilean Librarians Association and other entities, aimed to explore the role of libraries as spaces for social cohesion, diversity, and equitable access to culture. Experiences in reading mediation in very different contexts were examined, ranging from schools to prisons.
La Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception (UCSC) The project "Leaving Footprints Library," developed in the therapeutic community of the BiobÃo Penitentiary Center, was presented. The initiative, showcased in the panel on best practices, demonstrates how reading, creativity, and access to cultural resources can be incorporated into the rehabilitation processes of incarcerated individuals with problematic alcohol and drug use.
During the intervention, it was emphasized that the Reading can operate as a therapeutic toolnot only because of the content of the books, but also because of the human connection that is formed around mediation activities: reading clubs, writing workshops, spaces for conversation and personal support.
The role of university libraries It emerged as a common thread in the debate. UCSC's participation in Filsa was valued as a gesture of commitment to inclusion and social reintegration, and as a reminder that the university's mission goes beyond traditional teaching, linking higher education, culture, and community.
Public universities and the debate on higher education
Filsa has also served as a platform to raise awareness debates about public education and state universitiesIn one of the most well-attended events, the book "Perspectives and Challenges of Public Universities in Chile: Institutional Framework and Resilience of State Universities," authored by the rector of the University of Los Lagos, was presented. Oscar Garrido, along with other authors.
The launch, held at the Plaza Feria Stage of Estación Mapocho, included comments from Marisol Durán, rector of the Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM), and of Alexandra Contreras, executive director of the Consortium of State Universities of Chile (CUECH). The discussion was moderated by representatives from the Santiago campus of the University of Los Lagos.
During the presentation, it was highlighted that the work includes diverse perspectives of university presidents of the state network, with the purpose of analyzing the public university as an object of study, an approach that, as Rector Garrido himself emphasized, remains uncommon even in academia. The volume is presented as an attempt to democratize the discussion about the role of these institutions in a context of social and technological transformation.
The participants' comments focused on issues such as gender equalityTerritorial equity, core funding, and the need to strengthen networking among state universities were also discussed. It was emphasized that defending public universities is not limited to their state ownership, but extends to their commitment to human rights, sustainability, democracy, and citizen participation.
Authorities from the Los Lagos region and representatives from the education and labor sectors appreciated the fact that these types of books were being presented precisely at Filsa, emphasizing that the fair is a space where culture, public policy and civic reflection They intersect, and where the conversation about higher education reaches a wider audience than the strictly specialized one.
School visits, access and educational vocation
One of the features that best define Filsa is its strong focus on the educational communityScheduled visits from schools across the country have become a classic feature of the fair and are seen by teachers and librarians as a complementary educational tool.
On the fourth day, for example, the facilities at Estación Mapocho were packed with student groups They moved between publishers' booths, stages, and workshop spaces. Teachers from different subjects used the visit to work on reading motivation, critical media comprehension, and an approach to cultural heritage.
La Free entry for several days It makes it easier for public and subsidized schools to organize trips without the cost of admission being a barrier. On paid days, the ticket price remains moderate, and admission is completely free for children under a certain age, reinforcing the idea of ​​the fair as a space open to children.
The organizers have indicated that their goal is that Filsa is a comprehensive reading experienceIt's not just a book-buying experience. That's why special attention is paid to the range of activities specifically for students, from storytelling sessions to dialogues with authors and artistic demonstrations designed for young audiences.
This approach aligns with the shared vision of librarians and academics participating in the fair's seminars: the idea that the Access to books and culture is a key component of social inclusionand that major literary events can function as an extension of public policy to promote reading.
With all this deployment, Filsa reaffirms itself as a meeting place between reading, territory and citizen debatewhere literary celebrations, educational projects, rehabilitation initiatives, and discussions about the future of public universities coexist. The combination of artistic programming, specialized seminars, and accessible facilities allows the public to approach books from multiple perspectives, weaving a network between culture, education, and community that extends beyond the days of the fair.