Buenos Aires Book Fair kicks off with International Poetry Festival

The Buenos Aires Book Fair is once again setting the stage for a vibrant celebration of verse with its International Poetry Festival. This year's event, running from Friday to Sunday, honors the memory of distinguished poets Jorge Aulicino and Daniel Samoilovich, both of whom passed away in 2025. The festival promises an immersive experience for poetry lovers, offering a platform for both established and emerging voices.

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La idea es contar, durante tres días, con un espacio absolutamente democrático en que los poetas lean en las mejores condiciones posibles y el público pueda disfrutar de ellos en un ámbito cuidado.

Coordinated for the third consecutive year by writer and translator Jorge Fondebrider, the festival aims to foster a truly democratic environment. "The idea is to have, for three days, an absolutely democratic space where poets can read under the best possible conditions and the public can enjoy them in a well-cared-for setting," Fondebrider explained to LA NACION. This commitment to providing an optimal experience for both performers and attendees has been a hallmark of the festival's previous editions, often leading to packed venues.

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Así ha sido en las ediciones anteriores y puedo garantizar que en muchas oportunidades tuvimos que indicarles a los visitantes que la sala estaba colmada más allá de sus posibilidades. Es, creo, un pequeño lujo que nos damos una vez por año.

Fondebrider highlighted the practical challenges and strategic planning involved in organizing such an international event, especially since the fair does not cover international travel expenses. "Once I am reconfirmed in the coordination, I start sending out invitations around August of the previous month because, as the Fair does not pay for international travel, it is necessary to process them with institutions and universities well in advance," he noted. This meticulous planning ensures the participation of poets from various regions, including the Northern Hemisphere, where planning horizons are typically longer.

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La oportunidad de la continuidad me permitió, por un lado, poner en escena algunas ideas que tengo sobre la poesía y, por otro, aceitar una serie de mecanismos prácticos, como el tiempo con que hay que contar para asegurar la presencia de poetas del hemisferio norte, donde las cosas se realizan con mucha más previsión que acá.

The selection process aims for a careful balance, encompassing gender diversity, a mix of foreign and Argentine poets, representation from Buenos Aires and other parts of the country, varied age groups, and different aesthetic approaches. Fondebrider strives to include poets from "very diverse backgrounds," ensuring that all participants are offered the same conditions, making this festival a unique and inclusive cultural highlight in Buenos Aires.

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Una vez que me reconfirman en la coordinación, empiezo a cursar las invitaciones aproximadamente en agosto del mes anterior porque, como la Feria no paga los pasajes internacionales, es necesario tramitarlos ante instituciones y universidades con mucha antelación.