Madrid Book Fair opens a fresh edition this Friday, May 26, inviting visitors to a sustained celebration of literature and publishing. The event’s director indicated that, following a recent discussion, the organizers will proceed without the presence of certain high-profile figures this year due to upcoming regional elections. The focus remains on opening the fair to a broad community of readers and industry professionals alike.
Officials described the run-up as a period of intense planning, yet optimistic expectations about strong attendance and lively activity. The editorial showcase for this 82nd edition is nearly at the 1,000-title mark, with books effectively distributed through the box offices and a broad network of distributors around the fairgrounds.
Overall, the fair will feature 361 exhibitor stands arranged in a series of rows across the venue, with 24 central rows providing stronger visibility. The layout is designed to balance footfall and accessibility, ensuring that high-traffic areas are well-served by exhibitors and visitors alike.
This edition will see three groups actively engaged on the floor—universities, specialized media partners, and international participants with their own pavilions. The organization has described this as an ongoing trial-and-error process aimed at refining participation strategies. Financial projections place total costs around 1.3 million euros, with contributions from exhibitors around 890,000 euros, sponsorships near 515,000 euros, and funds from the City Council and Madrid Municipality totaling 151,000 euros.
The event route will include tarpaulins in some sections to mitigate heat during peak hours, though no permanent awnings are planned. While the Queen will not attend this year, participation from the cultural portfolio is strong. The opening ceremony will feature leaders from national and Madrid politics, including the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miquel Iceta, and Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
showcased officials include Marta River a de la Cruz, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sport for the Community of Madrid; Enrique Pascual, President of the Madrid Book Fair; Maria Jose Galvez, General Director of the Ministry of Culture to Encourage Books and Reading; Begoña Villacís, deputy mayor of Madrid; and Andrea Levy, a delegate from the Madrid City Council’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports. These figures signify a broad cross-section of national and regional leadership taking part on the opening day.
independent publishers
The fair has faced criticism from some independent publishers in past years. Orúe acknowledged concerns about inclusivity, noting that an early version of the event was launched by three Madrid bookstores and ten publishers who felt excluded. The organizer described the situation as unusual and pointed to a broader trend of evolution within the publishing scene.
She emphasized that the landscape has not contracted; in fact, there are more publishers than the previous year. While some parties may claim a reduction in participation, the fair’s leadership argued that this is not a straightforward trend and that many publishers remain engaged or are exploring new collaboration models. The conversation around participation continues to evolve as the event grows.
Publishers Polifemo, Platformless El Rastro, and Platformless Antón Martín announced a coordinated program running from May 20 to June 30. Ten publishing houses will exhibit books and host a calendar of cultural events. The organizers described the arrangement as a catalyst for greater publisher participation and broader engagement with the audience.
Orúe reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting small presses, noting several cases where publishers asked to participate but ultimately decided to decline, for reasons communicated through the event’s channels. The emphasis remains on fostering a welcoming environment for a range of publishers and ensuring the fair is accessible to diverse literary voices.
Ibáñez, Loyalty Award
The edition will honor Francisco Ibáñez with the Loyalty Award as a reflection of his long and influential career. The acknowledgment serves to illustrate how the fair blends celebrating established figures with inviting new participants to test and strengthen the show’s reception capacity. The organizers joked about the idea of Ibáñez requesting a personal tent to accommodate the attention his work attracts in the festival space.
Newly added this year are two event spaces and two signature areas for activities: Casa de Fieras and Pabellón de los Jardines Cecilio Rodríguez. The invited country for this edition is Colombia, continuing a program that has included various nations since 2021 when a new international partner joined the fair for the first time in recent years.