Madrid inaugurates its 67th International Book Fair
By Khilen Mehta
The 67th edition of the Madrid international book fair will be inaugurated on the 30th May by King Juan Carlos in Retiro Park. The festival allows bookshops, publishers and distributors the chance to display their books to the public. Most of the books will be written in Spanish but Retiro will prove a spectacular setting for those interested to peruse over 350 stalls.
Distinguised authors such as Jorge Semprún and Martin Amis will be giving talks and describing what inspires their stories, and there will also be a special childrens section. If you do head over there, you are recommended to try a Horchata in one of the cafes in the park, a refreshing drink made from rice and almonds. Sumptious on a beautiful summers day!
This year’s edition of the Madrid Book Fair will focus on promoting the careers of young Latin American authors trying to emerge from under the shadow cast by the giants of the 20th century boom. Fair director Teodoro Sacristan said he was excited that the 67th edition of the event has made Latin America its focal point as he believes there are Latin American writers, such as Colombia’s Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose works remain in demand more than 40 years after the Latin American boom of the 1960s and 1970s began and it is time for a new generation to emerge.
So get yourself down to Retiro. Enjoy the park, and take a stroll through the stalls. The festival runs until June 15th, and the best bit, IT´S FREE!!
Tags: books, fair, feria del libro, khilen mehta, Madrid, park, retiro