La Elche Book Fair This year's edition of the literary festival is particularly ambitious, marked by a change of venue and a significant increase in participation. The Elche literary event, already a fixture on the city's cultural calendar, is opting for a broader format and an enhanced program this year, appealing to all audiences.
From 17 al 19 AprilThe Paseo de la EstaciĆ³n will be transformed into a large space dedicated to books, local bookstores, and author meet-and-greets. Over three days, there will be book signings, talks, children's activities, events in Valencian, and poetry readings, featuring prominent Spanish and international writers.
New location on Paseo de la EstaciĆ³n and dates of the fair
This year, the fair changes location and moves to Station Walka larger setting than in previous editions. The Elche City Council's Department of Commerce, responsible for promoting the event, explained that this decision is in response to continuous growth in visitors and exhibitors registered in recent years, which made a venue with greater capacity necessary.
The Councilor for Commerce, Charity MartinezHe pointed out that the new space will allow for a more comfortable experience for both participants and the public, facilitating movement between booths and attendance at the various activities. The fair will be held from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, with official opening on Friday at 18:00 p.m. and closing on Sunday at 14:00 p.m.
More than 200 book signingsThe sessions are spread across different time slots to avoid overcrowding and allow readers to plan their visit. The organizers have emphasized that this edition aims to make the most of the new location, with a updated layout of the premises to make it easier to follow the complete schedule.
The Paseo de la EstaciĆ³n, next to the Municipal Park, thus becomes the third scenario through which the Elche Book Fair passes after its route through the PlaƧa de Baix and the Plaza del Congreso EucarĆstico, and after the Jaca promenade was finally ruled out due to space issues.
More than 120 authors and more than 200 book signings scheduled
One of the great attractions of this edition is the extensive list of authors which will pass through Elche. The organization confirms the participation of more than 120 writersThis figure includes both those invited by the organizing company, Diecisiete Musas, and those arriving through the participating bookstores. The program is notable for bringing together authors and activities that attract diverse audiences.
For children and young people, the program features very recognizable names such as Geronimo Stilton y Jordi Sierra and FabraAn author with a particularly strong presence in schools across the country and one of the most widely read writers in Spanish classrooms. His presence is further reinforced by storytelling and workshops and activities designed to introduce reading to young children in a fun way.
In the adult sphere, the poster includes authors such as Juan TallĆ³n, Jorge Molist, Miguel Gane, Manuel Vilas, VĆctor del Arbol, Alejandro Palomas, Rosario Raro or Pablo MauretteAmong many others. The fair also welcomes contemporary poets and authors visiting Elche from other European countries, thus reinforcing the open nature of the event.
The program also includes the presence of Lorena GascĆ³nKnown on social media as @lapsicologajaputa, she has already garnered a large following in previous editions. She joins other returning authors, solidifying a stable relationship between the fair, the writers, and the readers who return year after year to this literary meeting point.
In total, the following have been organized more than 200 signing sessions During the three days, attendees will have time to chat with their favorite writers, get signed copies, and discover new voices thanks to the constant activity at the signing booths.
Fifteen local bookstores and cultural associations involved
This year's edition once again focuses on the small book tradeA total of 15 bookstores from the city and the surrounding area, who have gradually joined the project until the fair has become a collective showcase of the local book industry.
Confirmed bookstores include Ali i Truc, CopiCarrĆŗs, L'Extrem, El Salvador, SĆ©neca Jove, PapelerĆa Alcudia, Campusprint PapelerĆa LibrerĆa, LibrerĆa Punto y Coma, La Pulga, DiĆ³genes Literario, Santos, Monografic Comics/Frikimasters, Frikimon, LibrerĆa la Manzanera and SenecaAll of them will have their own booths for selling new releases, backlist titles, and personalized recommendations.
The presence of bookstores is complemented by the work of several associations linked to reading and literary creationThis year's event features Literaturelx, Letra Violeta, and Escritores en su Tinta, who are contributing specific activities, meetings with emerging authors, and proposals focused on revitalizing the city's culture. associations linked to reading and literary creation They are key in programming.
As in previous years, the fair will also have a Municipal Libraries tentFrom this space, information will be provided about services, reading clubs, and resources available to the public. This initiative aims to reinforce the role of public libraries as gateways to culture, especially for those visiting the fair for the first time.
The manager of the organizing company, Marina Vicente (Seventeen Muses)She emphasized that new bookstores join the project every year, a stark contrast to the situation in other parts of Spain where many establishments have had to close. She explained that this municipal support for an event that combines culture and local commerce is one of the keys to its growth.
Programming in Valencian, poetry and activities for all ages
The program of activities at the Elche Book Fair has been designed with a view to balance between leisure, education and literary discoveryThroughout the three days, there will be sessions dedicated to Valencian literature, poetry readings, book presentations, round tables, and activities designed for families to enjoy.
La literature in Valencian It will have its own dedicated space within the program, featuring authors who work in this language and activities aimed at showcasing literary creation within the Valencian Community. Among the featured voices are writers of fiction and poetry who have established themselves on the recent Valencian literary scene.
poetry sessions These will alternate with other formats, such as talks and recitals, in which poets and readers can discuss current issues, creative processes, and new ways of disseminating the genre. Some of these activities will be structured around roundtables with several authors participating simultaneously, fostering an atmosphere of debate and reflection on the role of literature today. Furthermore, the poetry sessions They will help to bring the genre closer to new audiences.
For children, the fair offers storytelling, creative workshops and reading promotion activities throughout the weekend. The aim is for families to be able to spend the entire day at the venue with a continuous program, so that there is always something to do adapted to children of different ages.
In addition, they have included board games As a fun complement to the purely literary activities, a highlight will be the presence of a game created by a local author, the "Secret Santa board game," which will be set up especially on Saturday so that those accompanying the little ones can also enjoy some leisure time while other activities or changes in the children's program take place.
A fair model that strengthens culture and small businesses
Beyond the presentations and signings, the organization emphasizes the fair's dual objective: to promote reading habits and support local bookstoresThe collaboration between the City Council, bookstores, associations and the organizing company has been consolidated in recent years, which has allowed for an increase in both the number of participants and the richness of the program.
Marina Vicente emphasized that the competition ācontinues to grow year after yearā thanks to the good public response and to institutional support. The Department of Commerce, for its part, emphasizes that these types of initiatives help to differentiate Elche from other cities, by making a firm commitment to culture as an economic and social driver.
The move to Paseo de la EstaciĆ³n, the figure of more than 120 authors, the most of 200 signatures expected The participation of 15 bookstores and several cultural associations positions the Elche Book Fair as one of the most prominent literary events in the region. With a program that combines established names, emerging voices, activities in Valencian, and family-friendly offerings, the city is preparing for a weekend where books will take center stage in urban life.
With all these elements, the new edition of the Book Fair at Paseo de la EstaciĆ³n presents itself as an ideal opportunity to discover authors, support local bookstores and enjoy a diverse and continuous programming which reinforces the importance of literature in Elche's cultural agenda.