Lima Book Fair expects 500 thousand visitors

The Lima International Book Fair (FIL) which opened this Friday, expects to receive 500 thousand visitors, according to the president of the Peruvian Chamber of the Book, Germán Cotonado, whose institution is organizing the event.

Coronado recognized that expectations are high, but the Book Fair had a very good start, attracting huge numbers of visitors in its first two days, where activities with American writer Richard Ford and Mexican writer Juan Villoro took place.

“Our mission is to win readers . That's the effort of all us who organized this book fair. Many Peruvians have grown up believing a book is a utilitarian object, to be used and then discarded,” said Coronado.

He also mentioned that 60% of the 800 activities planned for the 2017 FIL are addressed to children and young adults.

Coronado considered that the FIL is an excellent opportunity for younger audiences to begin their approach to the world of books and to become familiar with leisure reading , given the lack public libraries in Peru.

For next year's fair, Spain will be the guest of honor, yet the man in charge of the organization said he is still uncertain how this nation will participate in the event. Nevertheless, he claimed that there would be a representation “of the first order” regarding Spanish literature.

The FIL is currently celebrating its 22nd edition, from July 21 to August 6, at Parque de los Próceres, in district Jesús María in Lima, where more than 150 stands show case 190 thousand exemplars.

The book fair also gathers more than 70 writers from 18 countries, 28 of which are Mexican , country who is this year's guest of honor at the festival.

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