Nearly 3 million people attended the 16 regional book fairs held in 2021

The directors of Colombia’s book fairs have reported more than 2 million 800 thousand attendees in 118 days of activities during 2021, some in hybrid format, others in person in cities such as Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Itagüí, Manizales, Medellín, Montería, Pereira, Popayán, San Andrés, Santa Marta, Pasto (with actions in Ipiales and Tumaco), Quibdó and Villavicencio.

In total, there have been 1,600 cultural and academic activities, with national and international guests including authors, illustrators, reading promoters, publishers, booksellers, and other professionals from the sector who joined the programming of these 16 regional book fairs.

The possibility of the meeting led publishers, distributors, and booksellers to return to the book fairs with novelties, and a cultural program for all audiences, «we resumed face-to-face activities to provide our readers with those moments they have been longing for, conversations with authors, book signings, and reunions. The book fairs are scenarios of social and cultural transformation, where diverse thoughts converge, and ideas materialize through the word. The fact that more than 2 million 800 people have attended these meetings reiterates their importance in the daily lives of Colombians. We will continue to strengthen the network so that these events reach more cities in the country», assures Enrique González Villa, executive president of the Colombian Book Chamber.

Bookstores have also been meeting points within the framework of the regional fairs, hosting the physical program with various activities such as book presentations and signings, talks, and workshops, as well as the network of public libraries, schools, and universities.

Likewise, in 2021 the Ministry of Culture inaugurated the web portal of the Book Fairs Network, which gathers information on each of the fairs, their programming, and guests.

The 2021 book fairs in figures:

• Around 2 million 800 thousand people attended virtually and in-person the 16 of the regional book fairs held in 2021.
• 1,600 cultural and academic programming activities in 118 days of fairs in 2021.

About the Book Fair Network

Since 2016, the Colombian Book Chamber, with the recognition of the Ministry of Culture has concentrated efforts to bring together the leaders of the main book fairs in the country. An initiative born from the need to ensure that books and reading circulate throughout the country, to promote common support spaces for the management of fairs, and the creation of strategic alliances to promote better scenarios in each city, and of course, in the country.