La The Plaza Mayor in Torrejón de Ardoz has become a great meeting point for readers and authors these days. thanks to the celebration of the Used Book Fair, similar to the Alcalá de Henares antiquarian and second-hand book fairA well-established event on the municipality's cultural calendar. Among stalls overflowing with books of all kinds, locals and visitors can browse at their leisure in search of those titles that are sometimes hard to find in conventional bookstores.
This event is part of the Month of Letters, a municipal program that brings together numerous literary and cultural activities throughout March and April. The fair serves as one of the central offerings of this program and combines book sales, author signings, and activities open to all audiences.
A fair open until March 29th in the heart of Torrejón
La The Second-Hand Book Fair will remain in place until Sunday, March 29th in the heart of the Plaza Mayor, as it happens in the Logroño antiquarian and second-hand book fairOccupying the center of the venue with an island-like structure of stalls, the stands are approximately 3 meters wide by 24 meters long, forming a central aisle that facilitates walking between the participating bookstores.
Access to the fair is free and with continuous morning and afternoon hours, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 21:00, as in the Seville Book FairThis ample space allows both those who work and those with more free time to browse the shelves and chat with the booksellers at their leisure.
According to the City Council, the exhibition It has established itself as a top-tier cultural event in the cityDesigned especially for those who enjoy reading on paper and appreciate the pleasure of browsing books before taking them home, the Plaza Mayor, a regular venue for outdoor events, reinforces its role as a cultural space and meeting place for citizens with this activity.
Mayor, Alejandro Navarro Prieto highlighted the role of the fair as a showcase for literary creation. and as a tool to bring authors and readers closer together. In his opinion, initiatives of this kind not only revitalize cultural life, but also help to strengthen Torrejón de Ardoz's identity as a city committed to reading.
Thousands of second-hand books, unique copies and out-of-print gems
At the stalls scattered around the Plaza Mayor Thousands of volumes on a wide variety of subjects can be found, like in the autumn fair of old and antique booksIt's not just about new releases or big bestsellers, but a selection that's especially attractive for those who enjoy tracking down unusual or out-of-print books.
Among the display tables there are many Classics of world literature, works of history and mythology, art publications, children's and young adult collectionsas well as a wide selection of fiction and essays. A significant part of the collection comes from Out-of-print books, second-hand titles and restored copies which can become true rarities for collectors and veteran readers.
This type of fair offers prices are usually more competitive than those of a traditional bookstoreThis makes it easy for many visitors to take advantage of the opportunity to buy several books on each visit. It's not uncommon for curious onlookers who come "just to browse" to end up leaving with a small stack of books under their arm.
The available selection also pays attention to for children and families, with picture books, classic stories and materials designed for the youngest readers., as it happens in the Cordoba book fairIn this way, the fair seeks to involve readers of all ages, from those who are starting to read to those who have maintained the habit of reading daily for decades.
In parallel, the presence of restored copies and old editions It attracts those seeking unique pieces, first editions, or books with a special value beyond the purely commercial.The combination of generalist offerings and specialized stock makes browsing the stands a continuous exploration.
Around 80 authors and a strong local presence
One of the distinctive features of this fair is the The presence of nearly 80 authors who come to sign copies of their works already meeting its readers, as happens in the Mairena del Aljarafe book fairMost of these writers are from the municipality itself, which reinforces the local aspect of the event and allows visibility to voices that sometimes have less space in the major publishing circuits.
Along with them, authors linked to different fields participate. literary associations, such as the Madrid Writers' Association, Oceans of Ink and Literary HeartThese entities contribute to the program a variety of styles and genres ranging from contemporary narrative to poetry, including young adult literature and short stories.
For writers, the fair functions as a a showcase in which to present new products, exchange ideas with the public and establish direct contact with readersSigning copies in a close and relaxed environment helps, according to many of them, to keep the bond between author and reading community alive.
The mayor himself has emphasized in his statements that The authors “contribute culture to the city” And spaces like this help to highlight the literary work that takes place throughout the year. From an institutional perspective, the goal is to continue expanding and consolidating this network of creators linked to Torrejón and its surrounding area.
The signings are spread out over the days in different time slots, so that On virtually any visit, it's possible to encounter an author signing books.This continuity makes it easier for those who cannot attend on a specific date to have other opportunities to get their signed book.
The fair, a key element within the Month of Letters
The Used Book Fair is not organized in isolation, but rather It is part of a broad calendar of events grouped under the name of Month of LettersThis program runs throughout March and April and its main purpose is to promote reading and cultural participation among the residents of the municipality.
Within this framework, the fair functions as one of the Highlights of the literary season in TorrejónHowever, it shares the spotlight with meetings with renowned authors, school competitions, film screenings, and diverse artistic offerings. All of this is free of charge, as the City Council has emphasized, with the aim of encouraging the greatest possible attendance.
The Month of Letters is conceived as a a cultural itinerary that goes beyond paper books It incorporates activities related to film, theater, dance, and circus, always maintaining a passion for storytelling and creativity as its guiding principle. The Used Book Fair, held outdoors in a central location, also serves as a visible gateway to this entire program.
The schedule for this cycle is extended until May 2nd, the date on which the last planned activities concludeDuring these weeks, the city adds different events in spaces such as the House of Culture, the Las Fronteras Cultural Center, La Caja del Arte, the UNED headquarters or the José Antonio Paraíso Sports Center, among other municipal locations.
In addition to in-person events, the City Council is taking advantage of the momentum of the Month of Letters to Strengthen campaigns to promote reading and support municipal librariesas well as to publicize other literary initiatives taking place in the Community of Madrid.
Literary meeting with Pablo Rivero and top-level authors
Among the highlights of this period was the Literary meeting with Pablo Rivero, actor and writer known for his participation in the series “Cuéntame”The event is scheduled for March 25th at 19:00 PM at the House of Culture, where she will present her novel "The Kangaroo".
This activity is part of the line of to bring literary voices with broad media reach to Torrejónto complement the participation of local authors at the fair. Rivero's presence aims to attract both fans of his acting career and readers interested in his work as a novelist.
The program for the Month of Letters also includes, the intervention of two other leading authors during the month of AprilAlthough their names are being reserved for future announcements, the municipal idea is to maintain a balance between nationally renowned writers and creators linked to the local area.
These meetings usually include open talks, colloquiums and question sessionsThis allows attendees to delve into the writing processes, sources of inspiration, and professional trajectories of the guests. The format aims to go beyond a simple book presentation, transforming each session into a conversation about literature.
The aim is that the public's experience is not limited to acquiring and reading a copy, but that can hear firsthand how stories are created and what challenges writers faceThis educational aspect complements the recreational component of the fair and the other activities of the Month of Letters.
Competitions, readings and proposals to encourage participation
The program designed by the City Council includes a wide range of initiatives aimed at encouraging citizens to become actively involved in the cultural life of Torrejón, and not only as spectators. Among them, the XXVI School Literary Competition stands out, which will be held on April 23 at 19:00 p.m. in the José Antonio Paraíso Sports Center.
This school competition aims to to promote creative writing among students in the municipalityoffering a platform for them to share their stories and poems. The chosen date coincides with World Book Day, which reinforces the symbolism of the event.
Another of the emblematic activities of these weeks is the traditional continuous reading of Don Quixote, organized by the Atenea Association at the House of Culture. On April 23, residents, associations, schoolchildren and institutional representatives take turns reading fragments of Cervantes' work, in an event that combines tradition and citizen participation.
Also back on the agenda are literary exchange “One book for one book”which proposes exchanging previously read books for other copies, and different sessions of Storytelling in English and Spanish at municipal librariesThese activities are designed to help children become familiar with books from an early age, in a fun and accessible way.
Together with them, they organize book presentations by local authorsThese initiatives encompass diverse genres and styles. This line of work aims to consolidate a unique literary ecosystem where local creators can find a stable audience and spaces to showcase their projects.
Cinema, circus, dance and lectures within the Month of Letters
The Month of Letters also includes a audiovisual and performing arts programming that broadens the focus beyond the physical bookOne of the most noteworthy sections is the Thursday Cinema series, which includes the screening of the multi-award-winning film "Sundays" on March 26 at 19:00 p.m. at the House of Culture.
Along the same lines, a session has been planned for Family movie night with the animated film “Arco”On March 15th at 12:00 pm in the same space. Both proposals aim to bring critically acclaimed works to diverse audiences, offering a meeting point for film lovers and families.
The program also celebrates the World Poetry Day on March 20th at the Las Fronteras Cultural Center, with specific activities related to the poetic genre, and the World Theater Day with the performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare, presented by the La Caja del Arte company.
In the educational field, the conference is included. “Psychology in Sport: Enemy or Ally?”The talk, which will take place on March 18th at 18:00 PM at the UNED headquarters in Torrejón, addresses the relationship between athletic performance and mental health, introducing an interdisciplinary perspective within the Month of Letters.
Completing the performing arts block, the program includes a Dance master class on March 22nd at 12:00 pm in the Plaza Mayor, by Aida Gómez's company, and a Circus Festival every Saturday in March at the same venue, at 12:00 pmThese activities reinforce the festive character of the period and turn the city center into an open-air stage.
The entire literary and cultural program surrounding the Used Book Fair Torrejón de Ardoz is positioned as one of the Madrid municipalities with the most intense program focused on reading during the springWith thousands of second-hand books, the involvement of dozens of authors, a free program combining film, lectures, theater, dance and circus, and spaces designed for both children and adults, the city reinforces its commitment to culture as a hallmark of its identity and offers residents and visitors numerous opportunities to rediscover books and the arts in general.
