Venezuela honors South Africa at the 20th International Book Fair

Caracas, July 22, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuela’s 20th International Book Fair (FILVEN) was held in Caracas from July 11 to 21, gathering thousands of visitors.

Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas organized the event together with the National Book Center (CENAL). The book fair is considered one of the largest annual cultural events in the country and this year included 97 national and international exhibitors distributed in one hundred stands in the National Art Gallery of Caracas (GAN).

“It’s easy to say, but this is the 20th edition! The book fair is a creation of Comandante Hugo Chávez, a legacy that has not stopped even in the most difficult circumstances, but on the contrary has grown and will continue to grow,” said Villegas at the opening.

In this edition, South Africa was the guest of honour with the participation of 18 South African authors from different regions and literary genres. The country’s lecture theme was “30 Footprints of Freedom. South Africa’s literary steps towards democracy and beyond”.

On Thursday, representatives of the Venezuelan government, as well as South African diplomats and writers, gathered to honor the revolutionary legacy of this legendary leader on the occasion of International Nelson Mandela Day.

South African Ambassador to Venezuela Lindiwe Michelle Maseko praised FILVEN as an opportunity to unite cultures. “This fair has enabled our authors to interact with their Venezuelan counterparts and showcase South Africa’s melting pot of nationalities through its literature and dialogue with the Venezuelan people.”

Several books were also presented during the event, including “Palestine from the Epistemologies of the South” by author Jorge Ramos Tolosa about the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation.

The 20th FILVEN edition will now travel to other states in the country.

Photos: filven.com