Although it seems paradoxical, This year, not all Galician bookstores will celebrate World Book Day with their readers. This is because, It falls on Sunday, April 23 and Galicia only those with useful space for display and sale to the public up to 300 square meters can be opened, according to the autonomous law of working hours. For this reason, the Spanish Confederation of Booksellers’ Guilds and Associations (CEGAL) initially began in communities with shop-opening restrictions, such as Galicia, HE day of the book Even 10% off will go through Saturday 22nd. However, a few days before the big day, the national confederation stepped back and decided to keep this day on Sunday in all communities without exception, which sparked controversy and split Galician booksellers.
Although the Galician Libraries Federation does not hide its displeasure at the way it conducts the process without contacting or consulting the federation and the delay in informing users, it complies with CEGAL’s decision. In fact, this was reported to him in writing. “There was an argument outside of us, and we can’t do anything because the Galician federation does not have the authority to decide on which days the reduction will be made. Also delivered very late. It would have been better if it had been done with more time so as not to create unnecessary doubts or prejudices,” said Ramón Domínguez, president of Galician bookstores.
Today, The autonomous federation plans to issue a statement to formally express its position Prior to CEGAL’s decision and clarify any potential doubts that may exist.
CEGAL, on the other hand, believes that the only day that can be legally discounted is the 23rd: “It’s okay. Book Day is April 23 and the Book Law is clear: The discount is applied on April 23. Bookstores that want to open can always open, provided that they do not exceed 300 square meters. “The problem is a chain of bookstores that invented the problem,” said Pilar Rodríguez, a bookseller from Ourense, a state confederation board member.
The Cartabon de Vigo bookstore will be one of those exceptionally opened this Sunday. Not so much for its economic returns as accompanying its readers at the book festival. “The book world is completely different from other types of commerce. It is almost a religion, a philosophy of life. For me it’s not a job, it’s entertainment. Also, you should because it’s ugly not to open it on Book Day, but for us Book Day is all year long,” said Domingo Pérez.
But the decision to hold Book Day on Sunday was not liked by all the small booksellers, who had to consider whether to work on their weekly rest days just four days before the event, as they couldn’t move the feast to 22. Some booksellers think the discount may be applied on Saturday.
“I don’t find it acceptable for the Confederacy to defy its own partners with a strict interpretation of the norm, and to decide something first and not vice versa at this point,” criticised Xurxo Patiño, president of the association. Vigo Bookstores, which also guarantees a bias for booksellers who cannot open on Sundays due to Galician autonomous law. “Book Day is like a good Christmas day and is a big incentive for booksellers at this time of year, which is usually slow. It is also important because it is an opportunity to be seen,” says this bookstore, which as of yesterday has decided not to lift the veil of Librouro this Sunday.
Due to its size, Casa del Libro in Vigo is one of those bookstores that cannot be opened on the very important date, Book Day. billing, According to its director, Jesús Garre.
According to him, there is a “legal vacuum” in CEGAL’s decision, because on the other hand, although it is true that the Book Day discount cannot be made outside that date with the strict application of the law, as CEGAL’s legal services claim. It was moved to Monday, April 24 in Turkey, and to July 23 in 2020, the year of lockdown due to the COVID pandemic. “There are precedents where history has been smoothly changed. I don’t know why this fuss was made this year because the law is exactly the same,” commented Garre, explaining that in principle they planned everything for Saturday, and in the case of communities like Galicia, this was agreed upon. .
Other Galician booksellers like Garre also regret this change of course by CEGAL. Topics that interest you so you don’t run out.