The International Book Fair will represent over 300 publishing houses and companies from 10 countries
Fira de Barcelona is organizing Liber this October, the world’s biggest Spanish language publication event
This year it’s Fira de Barcelona’s turn to organize Liber, the International Book Fair promoted by the Spanish Publishers’ Association (FGEE). From 12 to 14 October, Hall 1 at the Gran Via venue will be hosting the 34th edition of the most important event for the Spanish publication industry, which is expected to represent over 300 publishing houses and companies from 10 countries.
Liber is determined to continue driving the upsurge in sales of recent years in both the domestic and international markets, as well as fostering debate, knowledge and shared experiences on the different aspects involved in the book world through its Professional Seminars. This edition of Liber will be shining a spotlight once again on digital content, self-publishing, new publishing houses and – a first this year – printing services.
The different spaces being showcased at the trade fair, which proved extremely popular in 2015, include the Digital Zone, reflecting all the new trends and advances in this area, and promoting the new technologies and software for publishing and reading on mobile apps; the Authors’ Zone, where independent writers can discover all the possibilities of self-publishing; and Liber Micro, the space for small publishers, start-ups and newly-created companies that offers them the chance to set up meetings with buyers and other visitors. In addition, in collaboration with Graphispag, Liber 2016 is organizing an exhibition and conference area to present innovative materials, supports and high added-value printing solutions for the publishing sector. Meanwhile, the organization also intends to encourage companies from sectors such as the audiovisual and videogames industry to take part, as well as firms providing other services of interest to the book value chain.
The fair will also provide the best launch pad for getting Spanish language books into new international markets through business meetings and reverse trade missions. In this respect, Liber 2016 has organized two programmes targeted at inviting 500 key foreign buyers from 70 different countries. The first is the Buyers’ Programme which, in collaboration with ICEX España Exports and Investments, will bring distributors, booksellers and buyers of the rights of Spanish language books to the show. The other is the Priority Influencers’ Programme, to attract the representatives of university institutions, libraries and public authorities worldwide with the power to influence the purchase of books in the Spanish language.
Liber also stands out for its attractive programme of activities, making it a real focal point of debate and a hub for transferring knowledge in the publishing sector, with around 100 round tables, conferences, forums and presentations forming part of its Professional Seminar programme. The awards ceremony of the Liber Awards for Fostering Reading in the Media and Public Libraries; the most outstanding Hispano-American author; the best audiovisual adaptation of a literary work; the Boixareu Ginesta Award for Bookseller of the Year; and the Liber Tribute to a person or institution with a distinguished track record in support of the world of publishing will round off the programme of events at the show.
Liber is an annual event which is held alternately in Madrid and Barcelona. This year’s event coincides with UNESCO’s declaration of Barcelona as a City of Literature, which underlines the city’s importance in the publishing world and the legacy left by such great writers as Gabriel García Márquez, Mario Vargas Llosa and Miguel de Cervantes. Indeed, 2016 is Cervantes Year, marking the 400th anniversary of the death in 1616 of the most celebrated writer of all time in the Spanish language. The writer, originally from Alcalá de Henares, sited some of the scenes in his legendary masterpiece The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha in Barcelona, calling the city “in position and in beauty, unique.” Liber 2016 intends to join the commemorative events to mark this anniversary.
Barcelona, 31th March 2016