The fourth edition of La Fiera del Libro de Lanzarote, held in Arrecife, has more than revalidated its love story with the reading public, which dates back to 2022. It was then that the association of booksellers and publishers, Isla Literaria, managed to set up an island-wide fair with an itinerant vocation in Yaiza, which would later pass through Teguise and San Bartolomé.
The result of the entity's strenuous and constant work, and the support of public administrations, collaborating companies, and professionals in communication, education, and culture, consolidates an upward trend in attendance, sales, and general satisfaction. As the Minister of Culture of the Cabildo, Jesús Machín, pointed out at the inaugural event, "The Fair has consolidated itself, it has earned the respect of Lanzarote and nothing and no one will be able to prevent its annual celebration in the future."
"Good feelings", for lack of "detailed assessments"
In the absence of "detailed balances", the organizers of the Book Fair have indicated that bookstores and publishers have expressed "their good feelings"; some pointed out that, late on Friday, the second day of the fair, the expectations for the entire weekend had already been exceeded. Not in vain, the Ramírez Cerdá park and the adjacent cultural facilities received the visit of around 5,000 people between Thursday and Sunday.
The most in-demand editorial novelties were Una niña buena, by Elísabet Benavent, Mamá está dormida, by Máximo Huerta, Han cantado bingo, by Lana Corujo, and ¿Quién es Bruno?, by Lola Suárez. The interest generated by the presentations and book signings was evident from the very long queues to obtain dedications.
The public conversations in the central tent were also widely followed, with Juan José Millas, Carlos Bardem, Fernando Bonete, Abraham Boba, Marta Jiménez, Pablo Rivero, and Óscar Alonso, some of which were translated into sign language.
Activities for schoolchildren were offered in two morning sessions, with an excellent response from educational centers, which contributed to the challenge of bringing reading closer to young people. The catalog of essays with educational content and aimed at teachers and families also had an excellent reception, which included the presentation of the three new volumes of the Basic Library of the Canary Islands (BBC), corresponding to the works La hora silente, by Hilda Zudán; De un sabio antológico, by Juan José Delgado; and Geografía-Laberinto de la perfecta soledad, by Josefina Plá.
The tribute to the life and work of the writer Félix Hormiga has been a constant during the four days of Fiera, both due to mentions by people who knew and appreciated him and due to the dissemination of his works, such as the collective Filera de Hormigas, or the posthumous Ecos, published by the Publications Service and whose presentation closed this annual meeting with books.
The digital showcase
Another of the thermometers that marked, according to the organizers, "the success" of the Book Fair was that of social networks: Digital presence continues its notable growth. During the last month, the official Facebook and Instagram accounts jointly surpassed 500,000 views, consolidating their reach and capacity to connect with the public. The Instagram profile is particularly noteworthy, having surpassed 470,000 views. The male and female writers shared the publications and posted laudatory comments, which contributed to multiplying the impact and popularity of the Lanzarote fair. In the local sphere, the collaboration of journalists and professionals in education and culture, and of the event's own followers, was also notable in this area.
On the other hand, for the fourth consecutive year, Isla Literaria brought the promotion of reading and writing to the Tahíche penitentiary center within the framework of the Lanzarote Book Fair. Hand in hand with the association Derecho y Justicia, the writer Víctor Bello presented his work to the inmates interested in the activity, among whom were the students taking regulated education, and their teaching staff. The promoter of the Caballos Azules publishing house also donated several volumes from his catalog to the center's library. The talk was introduced by the journalist Saúl García, who for several years has been producing the publication Tahíche Opina with the inmates.
The necessary collaboration
At the end of the Fiera, the association of booksellers and publishers of Lanzarote has conveyed its gratitude to all the people and organizations involved in the organization of the literary event. Its president, Tomás Pérez-Esaú, has recognized the support of the Culture department of the Cabildo, the Publications Service,
the Department of Culture of Arrecife and the Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands.
The companies and other entities collaborating with the fourth edition have been La Voz de Lanzarote, El Espejo Canario, SER Lanzarote, Diario de Lanzarote, Radio Faycán Lanzarote, Radio Insular, Arenao Producciones, IKEA, Cajasiete, Chacón, CICAR, Cerelan, Sonidos Líquidos, GestionART-e, Hotel Miramar, UNED Lanzarote, Fundación Universitaria de Lanzarote, Fundación Clavijo y Fajardo, Cine Club Lanzarote, Asociación de Escritores de Lanzarote y La Graciosa, and Signalanz.
Finally, Naty Tafur, Paz Vargas, Esther Fernández, Saúl García, Vanessa Díez, José María de Páiz, Mar Arias, Pedro Cabrera, Myriam Ybot, Mare Cabrera, Ana Delia García, Nacho Romero, Fabio Carreiro, Rubén Acosta, Mario Ferrer, María José Alonso, Pilar Estevan, Juan Luis Quincoces, María del Río, Víctor Bello, Siscu Ruz, Lola Suárez, Mario Alberto Perdomo, Amalia Fajardo, Marta Rodríguez, María Romero, Flor Espino, Techy Acosta, Yolanda Ruano and Atchen Pounapal have lent their professionalism and good work to the book presentations.
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