50th Buenos Aires Book Fair opens with turbulent inauguration

One of the biggest literary events in the region, the 50th Buenos Aires International Book Fair had a tense opening night on Thursday, after Culture Secretary Leonardo Cifelli sparred with an audience that booed him for celebrating president Javier Milei’s administration.  Cifelli said the country is going through a “profound transformation”, choosing to “place individual freedom back at the center.” “The Secretariat of Culture followed that line with a very simple notion: culture also needs responsible management,” he said, and repeated his praise of the president and his sister, Presidential secretary Karina Milei.  People in the public held signs and shouted to protest the government’s stance on issues like public university funding and the glaciers bill. A group of front-seated people that applauded and sang in favor of Cifelli reportedly left the room right after his speech.    The evening had started with a surprise show by Fito Páez, who delivered an eclectic set list that included songs by Charly García and folk and tango classics.  Christian Rainone — head of El Libro Foundation which organizes the Fair — delivered the first institutional speech, stating that the event finds the sector “stalled.” “In 2025, more titles were published than ever —36,942, a 17% increase from the previous year— but total print runs fell by 34%, from 52.6 million copies to 34.6 million, returning to 2019 levels. Argentina’s publishing sector released more titles than ever, but printed the same amount as it did six years ago.” He was followed by Buenos Aires mayor Jorge Macri, who also listed local measures in favor of the book industry and stressed the importance of the culture sector.“Culture is an investment we will also sustain,” he said.  Degraded language The official authorities’ speeches were followed by an open debate between authors Leila Guerriero, Selva Almada and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, moderated by journalist María O’Donnell. The conversation tapped into issues like women’s literature, hate speech and the deterioration of public discourse, and how defunded schools and diminished purchasing power has affected people’s reading habits and the book industry.  “Reading is a right, but education has been dismantled,” said Almada.  Cabezón Cámara also made a strong stance against the government’s recently passed glaciers bill, and called for people to join a march on Saturday afternoon “to defend water and life”.  (Left to right) Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, Selva Almada, Leila Guerriero A National Book Award winner, Cabezón Cámara said that “necro-grotesque” would be the proper literary genre to describe today’s Argentina.  “How can you respond to someone who speaks of raped children and mandrills? You can’t take that path. The use of words in the public sphere should be more accurate and delicate,” she said.  “Repeating that kind of rhetoric from positions of power is a massive irresponsibility,” Leila Guerriero added. The 50th Buenos Aires Book Fair: all you need to know  In its 50th anniversary, the Fair will host an array of international guests, including Nobel-winning authors J. M. Coetzee and Mo Yan, as well as renowned writers Arturo Pérez Reverte, Leonardo Padura, Benoît Coquil, and Kim Ho-yeon, among many others.  Local writers expected to participate in some of the several hundred events and presentations include Claudia Piñeiro, Martín Kohan and Dolores Reyes. With over 450 exhibitors, the Fair will feature some of its long-established regular activities, such as the International Poetry Festival (on April 24, 25, and 26) and the Reading Marathon (on April 28), which this year will focus on books that were banned during the last civic-military dictatorship as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the coup this year. The traditional Night of the City, where admission is free starting at 8 p.m. will take place on Saturday, April 25. This year, the free admission hours will extend, running Monday to Thursday starting at 8 p.m. (except on April 23 and May 11). Peru and Borges on focus  This year, the Fair hosts Peru as an Honorary Guest Country and features a huge pavilion with more than 130 Peruvian publishers offering over 700 titles as well as delegation of 60 personalities from the culture sector that will take part in over a hundred activities, both at the Fair and across the city.  Highlights include tributes to the late Peruvian Nobel prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa, poet Blanca Varela and novelist Alfredo Bryce Echenique, a show on April 26 at the Centenario Park Amphitheater featuring Peru’s National Folkloric Ballet and National Symphonic Orchestra, illustration workshops by Issa Watanabe, poetry readings in native languages, and public conversations with authors. In the 40th anniversary of his death, Jorge Luis Borges will be the focus of a series of tributes, which include an interactive labyrinth featuring the author’s voice, built by Penguin Random House. The publisher recently reprinted single-volumes of Borges’ Complete Short Stories, Complete Essays, and the first volume of his Complete Poetry.  An exhibit called Borges nacional y universal (National and Universal Borges) will display more than 50 magazines featuring Borges as well as foreign editions of his works. Hours and prices Set in La Rural (Av. Santa Fe 4201), the Fair is open April 23 to May 11, 2 to 10 p.m. (Monday thru Friday), and 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays Admission tickets are AR$8,000 on Monday thru Thursday. Weekends and holidays, the price is AR$12,000. Every ticket includes a check for AR$12,000 to use as credit to purchase books in associated stands.  Children under 12 enter for free, accompanied by an adult. Teachers, students and retired citizens who present their credentials at the door also enter free of charge, except on May 1.