The Oldest Book Fair in South America Hosts Ray Bradbury
by Sally Taylor -- Publishers Weekly, 4/18/1997
Jorge O. Naveiro, President of the Fundacion del Libro, opened the 23rd Feriadel Libro in Buenos Aires April 18 with some serious messages for President Menem. The oldest bookfair in Latin America drew a packed audience of book people from all over the continent and an impressive number from elsewhere in the world. But space in the aging fairground facilities had long been sold out and Naveiro, Publisher of the nobel literary house, Editorial Atlantida, meant to tell his President that a proper convention facility is desperately needed in BA. And that books printed abroad should not bear a tax when imported foreign titles come in tax free.But the President had to duck the inauguration ceremonies at the last minute,when law students began a protest that required water bombs from the riot squad. Despite this, the inauguration went off smoothly in this 19th century city with a half century history of dynamic local publishing and world renowned authors. Through the darkest economies ofrecent decades, reading has continued as a favorite pastime.
Now, with economic stability at last in hand, the stunning architecture of a Paris in the Americas is slowly being refaced and upgraded with a new skyline of glass and steel. It is the struggle between architectural integrity, green space and commercial needs that delays the building of convention facilities this massive city of 12 million.
Proper venue or no, the enthusiasm for books continues unabated and increases with the return of economic prosperity. A new boom in poetry among young people, selling in supermarkets and street newsstands no less, has surprised even local publishers, many of whom gave up their poetry lists a decade ago. Many are now relaunching poetry lines. Ray Bradbury himself is visiting Buenos Aires during the Fair, though not for the first time. Brought to the event by his Argentine publisher, Emece, he is expected todraw massive crowds of fans in the coming week. "He continues to be a kind of icon for us," explains Marta Diaz, Director of the Fairs for Fundacion el Libro. Emece will also publish Arthur Clark's 3001 this year and has continuing success with "What Color is Your Parachute" according to publisher Francisco del Carril, President of the three professional days of this three week bookselling event.
Big in sales during the BA summer have been "Emotional Intelligence" and the new Deepak Chopra title. For more details on the book fair, email fund@libro.satlink.net.
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