The 38th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) began this Saturday with Spain as the guest of honor.highlighting the relationship that the fair has with the Iberian country.
The rector of the University of Guadalajara, Ricardo Villanuevahighlighted the occasions that have “a very long-term relationship” due to the times in which Spain or cities in that country have been guests of honor, for example, in 2000 it was the first time that the European nation had the honor of being guest; In 2004 it was the turn of the region of Catalonia; in 2006 to Andalusia, in 2010 Castilla y León; and in 2017 it was the turn of the Spanish capital, Madrid.
He also mentioned the contributions that Spain has made in terms of literature.mainly writers, the main one being Miguel de Cervantes, but also poets and other literary creators.
“Spain is the land of an endless list of literary creators who have made us discover imaginary worlds. Spain is the land of great poets, of immortal novels, a world heritage site. Spain is the land of Cervantes, of Unamuno, of María Moliner, of García Lorca. Spain is also the land where one of my favorite novels was written, ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ by Ruiz Zafón, but I especially want to mention that Spain is the land of our admired Irene Vallejo, who for the second time will accompany us in this AFIL and me I declare Irene’s admirer. I want to thank Spain for once again being our traveling companion on this journey, said the rector at the opening event.
The rector took the opportunity to thank him for the time he spent at the head of the UdeG since, starting in the coming months, he will leave the position to Karla Planterthe first woman elected as general rector of the university in its history.
Besides, Ricardo Villanueva criticized those who promote war worldwidepointing out that the path has not been sought towards peace, but towards confrontation: “Instead of walking towards peace, humanity seems to take steps towards confrontation and on that path new actors are involved who only escalate the conflict. For me, war is the failure of reason, it is the failure of politics, it is the maximum expression of human stupidity.”
Villanueva also questioned that humanity “has a false idea of how power should be exercised” and considered that power is not about submission, but about conviction and collaboration.
At the event, The ratification of Marisol Schulz as general director of the FIL and Trinidad Padilla López as president of the fair was announced..
The Minister of Culture of Spain, Ernest Urtasun, was the Spanish representative at the inauguration of the FIL and commented that the diversity of voices and opinions must be guaranteed and the cultural rights of the population must be promoted.
“All diversity fits into the FIL. By guaranteeing diversity, that there are different voices telling different stories, we extend the scope of the Fair and ensure that the public that visits the FIL these days assumes this project as its own and constitutive of these cultural rights that we never tire of promoting and defending.”
The Spanish official highlighted the linguistic variety that exists in Mexico contributed to the improvement of the Spanish language, ensuring that it was “enriched with lexical borrowings, phonetic influences and idiomatic expressions from indigenous languages.”
At the event, the elected governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemuswas present and assured that during his government, which he will take office on December 6, there will be guaranteed support for the FIL and cordiality with the University of Guadalajara.
Representing the Government of Jalisco, was the Secretary General of the Government, Enrique Ibarra Pedrozawho highlighted the union that Jalisco maintains with Spain, mainly after the arrival of Fray Antonio Alcalde to the state in the 17th century.
“Remember that he was the first to open schools for indigenous girls and boys in Guadalajara and Tlajomulco. Mayor managed to achieve decentralization of higher education in the colony. He got Carlos III to grant the certificate for the election of the Royal University of Guadalajara, that is our university.”
In this regard, Ibarra Pedroza highlighted the number of students that the school has throughout the state.
FIL 2024 will be open from this Saturday until next Sunday, December 8.
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