Encarnación Book Fair Offers a Packed Weekend of Culture and the Arts

The final days of the 22nd Encarnación Book Fair bring a broad program of literature, music, science and art to Itapúa this weekend.

Saturday’s schedule includes academic and science outreach sessions, painting, short-story and robotics workshops, and activities for children and teenagers. The fair will also recognize winners of the 11th “Young People Who Tell Stories” short-story competition and leaders of reading-promotion projects.

Among the main attractions are Ricardo Flecha, who will present his book “Coplas and Jasmine, Struggles and Orange Blossoms” and perform at 7:30 p.m., and Purahéi Soul, scheduled for the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Other events include a children’s play, a literary gathering known as Cocido Literario, the Night of Cultures and the presentation of “Zanardini and the Words of the Jungle.”

Sunday’s program features Giant Chess, a book exchange and the Fan Festival Tiempo Extra 12, with drawing, painting, comics, quizzes, tournaments and cosplay. The schedule also includes a puppet show, presentations by Paraguayan and Argentine authors, a rock program and a piano-and-voice performance.

The fair has received educational delegations from across Itapúa and Paraguay since opening. It is free to attend, draws about 20,000 people each year and supports projects that have brought 1,500 new readers into reading activities.