Germany to be guest of honor at Guatemala's 2026 International Book Fair

Germany will be the guest of honor at the 23rd International Book Fair in Guatemala (Filgua), scheduled for July 7-19, 2026. The event will also honor Guatemalan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum and coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Peace Accords that ended a 36-year internal armed conflict.

"We are recognizing that part" of Menchú's legacy, said César Medina, president of the Association of Guatemalan Editors (AGEG). He noted that Menchú is one of the few Nobel laureates in Latin America. The fair will feature an international agenda with specialists discussing her contributions to the country.

Germany's presence, under the theme "Stories that Build Bridges," will be supported by the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Goethe-Institut. Ambassador Hardy Boeckle stated the focus will be on memory, reconciliation, and youth, showcasing reputable young authors from Germany. A significant literary project will distribute 30,000 bilingual books by Guatemalan author Julio Serrano Echeverría, illustrated by Karen Huala, in Spanish and seven Mayan languages.

The fair will also host renowned Guatemalan writer Dante Liano and international figures like Argentine illustrator Mariana Ruiz Johnson and Mexican poet Nadia López García. Medina highlighted Germany's extensive involvement, extending beyond books to a broader cultural exchange. The event will include the professional forum Contec, established by the Frankfurt Book Fair.