It has stood out not only for its 500-square-meter bookstore, with its more than 30,000 copies, but especially because the cultural scene has become an opportunity to highlight what the two countries have in common, as well as a space to strengthen binational ties.

With the motto ‘Roots and meetings: For a future of peace for Our America,’ Filbo 2023 has paid tribute since April 18 to 200 years of bilateral relations between Colombia and Mexico, a bond that began after the signing of the Treaty of Union, League and Perpetual Confederation in 1823.

Marco Barrera Bassols, coordinator of international relations of the Fondo de Cultura Económica, pointed out during the opening of the pavilion:

Few countries can boast a brotherhood as close as the one that exists between Colombia and Mexico. From the cultural, political, historical and social aspects, these are two nations that have followed similar and complementary paths.

More than Books

The organization of the 35th edition of the Fair, which scheduled more than 150 meetings in the Mexico Pavilion, attended by a delegation of more than 200 people, highlights that this space of 3,000 square meters, designed to house the extensive literary, cultural and historical literary universe of the Guest of Honor, goes beyond the books, the presentations and the talks with the authors, inviting attendees to continue enjoying artistic exhibitions, musical shows, gastronomic samples, and other surprises until closing time.

The pavilion has been divided into 4 special celebrations of Mexican history chosen by the Fondo de Cultura Económica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico and the Ministry of Culture of Mexico:

1. 200 years of relations between Mexico and Colombia
2. 100 years of the birth of muralism
3. 90 years of the foundation of the Fondo de Cultura Económica and the centenary of the death of the revolutionary hero Francisco Villa
4. Homage will be paid to the writer Gabriel García Márquez, a symbol of union between the two countries.

This being the third time that Mexicans hold the role of Guest of Honor (1993 and 2009), during this year's edition emphasis has been placed on dialogue and the meeting of cultures.

“Mexico at FILBo this year is more than literature. We want to show the cultural richness of the nation in different artistic and graphic expressions that will undoubtedly leave the name of Mexico on high and reaffirm the brotherhood with Colombia. We want Colombians to enjoy a dynamic pavilion where Mexico can be seen in all its splendor," said Gabriela Roca, director of the Fondo de Cultura Económica (FCE), a Colombian subsidiary.

Visita la #FILBo35años y vive la magia del pabellón México, País Invitado de Honor, el cual, gracias a su cercanía cultural y literaria con Colombia, permite el fortalecimiento de vínculos entre las dos naciones.

*Conoce toda la información en https://t.co/wyO7Geqksd pic.twitter.com/j7Az4RT974

— FeriadelLibroBogotá (@FILBogota) April 21, 2023

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Highlighting the ecological and sustainable construction of the pavilion, these are the spaces in which attendees can interact and transport themselves to Mexico:

• ‘La Librería del Corazón’ (The Del Corazón bookstore) and the children's bookstore named ‘La Peor Señora del Mundo’ (The worst lady in the world), aimed at children.
• The Pedro Páramo auditorium, with a capacity of 350 people and which has been used during the Fair, after May 2 will be donated to the Museo de la Memoria in Bogotá, as well as a workshop area with a capacity for 20 people. 

Featured Exhibitions:

• An immersive experience about 100 years of Mexican muralism
• The 90 years of the graphic history of the Fondo de Cultura Económica, a tribute to Vicente Rojo, Francisco Toledo and Rafael López Castro
• An exhibition of Mexican codices (codices mexicas) linked as one with the photographic exhibition Inventories of the World by Maruch Santiz, Tzotzil artist
• The exhibition of the graphic mural ‘We are the memory of oblivion,’ made by artists, by victims of the armed conflict in Colombia, and by students and professors of the Universidad de los Andes.

“The mural will be a process and a performative act of freedom understood as an instrument that builds bridges between the Museo Nacional de la Estampa (Mexico), which belongs to the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature, the National Center for Historical Memory and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the Universidad de los Andes (Colombia). This project embraces two essential principles for the construction of peace: Solidarity and empathy,” highlights Filbo.

Find more information about the programming of Mexico in Filbo 2023 here.