This month Oaxaca will host the 35th Oaxacan International Book Fair (FILO). Opening on October 24 the fair will run for eight days and include over 300 free events.
FILO aims to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, a place for dialogue and debate. This year’s theme is ‘Expressions of Freedom’.
Based in the Alameda de León (next to the Zocalo) there will be debates, literary lectures, poetry readings, lectures, public discussions, book presentations, concerts, workshops, and tributes. As well as the literary program there will be a large exhibition and sale of books.
This year’s festival will pay tribute to Mexican cartoonist Rogelio Naranjo, whose political cartoons have become a critical reference in regard to the public sphere of national life. There will be several opportunities to see his work including exhibitions at CASA and Museo Belber Jímenez.
Participating international and national authors include Elena Poniatowska, Alberto Manguel, Lina Meruane, Juan Villoro, Benito Taibo, Sandra Lorenzano, Joca Reiners Terrón, Henrietta Rose-Innes, Verónica Gerber Bicecci, Eduardo Antonio Parra, Éric Chevillard, Tedi López Mills, Julián Herbert, Élmer Mendoza, Álvaro Uribe, Hugo Hiriart, Samanta Schweblin.
Also in attendance will be the internationally renowned journalists Lydia Cacho, Sergio González Rodríguez, Diego Osorno, Alma Guillermoprieto, Leonardo Tarifeño, Jon Lee Anderson, Alberto Salcedo Ramos, Carlos Barrón y Sergio Aguayo.
The bi-annual Aura Estrada Prize for Literature will be awarded this year at Teatro Macedonio Alcala on November 30, with author Michael Ondaatje giving the Aura Estrada lecture.
This year’s festival also includes an impressive musical lineup with performances by the Abe Rábade Trío, Monocordio Trio, The Hunters, Yucatán A gogo and The Jolly Boys. There will also be a number of performances for kids including Jam Jam – jazz with juggling, comedy and acrobatics, and a children’s theatre festival.
The community of Zaachila will also host a series of artistic and literary events . Check the website for more details.
You can find out more about the Feria Internacional del Libro Oaxaca and download the full program of events at www.filoaxaca.com.
35 Feria Internacional del Libro Oaxaca
24 October – 1 November
