Medellín’s festival is celebrated for its grassroots approach, attracting a diverse local audience and fostering a strong sense of community that makes the half-million footfall all the more impressive.

The 18th edition of the Book and Culture Festival in Medellín concluded on Sunday, September 15, with outstanding results for the city’s publishing and cultural sectors. The event attracted over 500,000 visitors and achieved record sales, solidifying its status as one of Colombia’s premier literary events.

As reported by PublishNewsES, Santiago Silva, Secretary of Citizen Culture of Medellín, said, “We reaffirm our commitment to culture, reading, oral tradition, and art. This celebration leaves us with the certainty that we continue to build a city where books and letters are essential for better coexistence.”

Over 210,000 books were sold, a 27% increase from 2023. Revenues reached approx. 2.34 million USD (9.148 billion pesos), marking a 28.85% increase compared to 2023.

Popular activities included 300 book launches, the Living Reading Garden, and various exhibitions. Notably, 96% of attendees reported an increased interest in reading and writing after the event.

The festival also highlighted the participation of 52 independent publishers and over 200 industry professionals who attended the Editors’ Training Seminar for updates on administrative and technical issues.

Compared to previous editions, the 18th edition of the Book and Culture Festival in Medellín saw significant growth in both attendance and sales, per above. The 28.85% increase in revenue and the 27% rise in book sales underscore the event’s expanding influence and success, with the focus on independent publishers and the high engagement of young attendees distinguishing this year’s festival from past incarnations.

When compared to Fil Bogotá, the biggest literary event in Colombia, the Book and Culture Festival in Medellín stands out for its emphasis on independent publishing and community engagement. While Fil Bogotá is renowned for its international reach and extensive participation of global publishers, Medellín’s festival is celebrated for its grassroots approach, attracting a diverse local audience and fostering a strong sense of community that makes the half-million footfall all the more impressive.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsletter.