ART AND CULTURE
2016 Lima International Book Fair opened its doors with new things and a fun cultural proposal
Virgilio Martínez, propietario de Central y embajador de la Mar
Lima FIL (International Book Fair) is the most important editorial and cultural event in Peru, organized by the Peruvian Chamber of Books. Writers, editors, booksellers and reading lovers of all ages, gather every year at Los Próceres Park, located in Jesús María district. For this edition, Lima FIL had Colombia as guest of honor. For the first time, Lima FIL received 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature, French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio. Le Clézio said to be an admirer of Peruvian writer José María Arguedas and after reading ‘Los ríos profundos’ (Deep Rivers) his view on the indigenous culture changed. ‘It was very interesting to me. Long ago, there used to be a cultural traditionalist concept from Spain, but Arguedas changed it completely because he expressed a connection with his own history, Peruvian history, in a way that readers without this knowledge could be part of his research. Thus, Arguedas was who connected me with the Peruvian culture. Peru is one of the few countries in the world where you feel the connection between past and present’, said the 76 year old novel writer. The fair also featured activities like dance, music and theater plays, allowing 2016 Lima FIL visitors to live a unique experience.
