Bogotá Celebrates the Power of Words at FILBo 2025

From April 25 to May 11, Colombia’s capital becomes the beating heart of Hispanic literature during the Bogotá International Book Fair.

Bogotá is more than just mountains, museums, and amazing food. Once a year, it transforms into one of Latin America’s most exciting cultural hubs, hosting the Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo) — a must for anyone who believes in the transformative magic of words. This year’s theme, “The Words of the Body,” invites us to explore how language not only expresses who we are, but also shapes our very sense of self. And fittingly, Spain is the Guest Country of Honor, as we celebrate Spanish as a global language connecting over 600 million people.

Every April, on World Spanish Language Day, Bogotá doesn’t just speak — it resonates. This 2025 edition of FILBo is a celebration of how language lives in us, moves through us, and builds bridges between cultures and bodies.

A Celebration of Ideas, Voices, and Soul

The fair features powerful conversations like the one between María Cecilia Barbetta and Isabella von Bülow, who will explore how languages are not pure but beautifully mixed, shaped by migration and cultural exchange. Musician and rock icon Enrique Bunbury will present La carta, a collection of heartfelt letters exchanged with his fans over the years — showing how language can be an act of love, memory, and connection.

The fair also opens space for stories of resilience. American activist Virgie Tovar will speak about reclaiming the word “fat” as a source of power and identity. Meanwhile, authors like Laura Restrepo, Gloria Susana Esquivel, and Arianna de Sousa-García will explore how the stories of migration and womanhood are written — sometimes painfully — on the body.

A City that Reads You Back

Being in Bogotá during FILBo is like stepping into a live novel. Corferias, the city’s main convention center, becomes a literary universe filled with books, authors, and passionate readers. Outside the fairgrounds, Bogotá invites you to discover cozy bookstores, writer-inspired walking tours, cultural cafés, and a moody Andean atmosphere perfect for reading under the clouds.

This year’s lineup includes over 1,000 events: from poetry and philosophy to activism and music. One of the most anticipated sessions is the poetry conversation between Sara Uribe and Carolina Sanín, two writers who use words as tools for memory and resistance.

And because language can also heal, clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula and journalist Jineth Bedoya will lead a powerful talk on narcissistic abuse and how writing and speaking truth can rebuild broken narratives.

Not Just a Book Fair — A Cultural Adventure

FILBo 2025 is more than an event — it’s a shared journey into what makes us human. It’s where ideas are born, stories are honored, and Bogotá shines as the literary soul of the continent.

Ready to be inspired? Head to www.feriadellibro.com to explore the full program, get your tickets, and meet the voices behind the pages.