2026 Costa Rica International Book Fair to be held in San José

The 2026 Costa Rica International Book Fair (FILCR) will return to the Antigua Aduana, combining a literary offering with a broad cultural agenda, activities for student audiences, and a reflection on the current state of the country's book industry. According to the organizers, the fair will feature between 200 and 250 cultural activities, including book presentations, talks, conferences, storytelling sessions, literary readings, and artistic performances of dance and music. Although it has not been officially announced yet, it has been learned that the fair is tentatively scheduled for August 22-30. The programming will also include proposals driven by exhibitors, institutions, and external agents, which are evaluated by a commission based on their cultural contribution and the feasibility of their execution. This will be complemented by a documentary and photographic exhibition on the 56-year history of the Costa Rican Book Chamber, with an emphasis on its contributions to the dissemination of books, the defense of copyright, and the promotion of the Law for the Promotion of Reading, the Book, and Libraries, approved in 2021. The fair will also maintain activities aimed at specific audiences. The next edition of FILCR will feature the participation of writers and specialists from the Colombian literary scene. The Chamber maintains that the fair has been, since 1997, an important stimulus for the circulation of new publications, sales, and the growth of the book market. Nevertheless, it defends the decision due to the central location and the need for predictable dates so that publishers, bookstores, and authors can plan their participation further in advance. The organization acknowledges infrastructure limitations, such as a lack of sufficient halls and adequate parking, as well as a reduced preparation period, as the space was assigned in February. Among the highlights is the second edition of 'La ventana de los héroes', an initiative aimed at primary and secondary school students that seeks to bring them closer to exemplary figures in the cultural, sports, and social spheres. In this context, it announced a meeting of the publishing industry for April 11, 12, and 13, with the aim of discussing common problems, internal differences, and potential organizational reforms, in a scenario marked by the diversification of the sector and the rise of self-publishing. The return to the Antigua Aduana, however, also presents challenges. The Guatemalan presence will translate into a cultural agenda articulated between institutions of that country and its embassy in Costa Rica, with activities covering photographic exhibitions, dance, music, and gastronomy. According to the interview, this proposal brought together more than three thousand students in its previous edition.