Although returning to routine may seem like a drag, we won't have time to get bored with the quantity ---and quality--- of events the city offers us. September kicks off like the school year, loaded with proposals of all kinds, so that we don't feel the classic melancholy of the end of summer and, in many cases, of vacations.
We start with the 39th edition of La Setmana del Llibre en Català, the most important literary event of the year along with Sant Jordi, which will once again be held in its new location at Moll de la Fusta, after years of being located on Avenida de la Catedral. This place has proven to be an ideal space to better spread out the fair and let it grow, as well as to be able to carry out all the acts and activities that will be held during the days the event lasts.
From September 10 to 19, a hundred exhibitors will gather by the sea to present us, not only new editorial releases, but also backlist books, collections, and other titles from various publishing houses. And all of this with a focus on the richness and diversity of Catalan publishing and its industrial power. In fact, La Setmana has been enjoying attendance success for years, even in these turbulent times we are experiencing, thus demonstrating the powerful market that revolves around literature in Catalan.
This year, the fairgrounds have been restructured again to comply with health regulations. In addition to the three stages where multiple presentations, recitals, talks, or storytelling will take place, two separate spaces have been created: one solely dedicated to hosting author signings, and another exhibition space, where one of the copies of the work to be awarded in the Premi Trajectòria can be seen. Apart from that, a special area has been dedicated to the little ones, and a couple of relaxation areas have been set up. All of this alongside the nearly 60 stands that will host publishers, bookstores, and other institutions of the literary world in Catalan, not only from the territory but also from Andorra, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands.
Of the many activities in which we can participate, literary itineraries successfully stand out. A kind of promenade hand in hand with authors, who invite us to discover the various places related to their works. 19 of these walks take place in Barcelona, but another 9 are developed in different locations such as Torredembarra, Palafrugell, Sitges, Sant Martí de Mura or Val d'Aran.
From September 10 to 19, a hundred exhibitors will gather by the seaOne of the most important objectives that La Setmana del Llibre en Català has had since its birth back in 1983, is to to foster the encounter between readers, bookstores, publishers, and magazines that publish in Catalan. Therefore, although the fair is based in Barcelona, its celebration is held throughout Catalonia, through the network of associated bookstores where we can find all the new releases presented along with a selection of books from the booksellers themselves, and the window display contest.
And also for 25 years, the Premi Trajectòria ---an award given annually to a professional linked to the world of Catalan culture and its dissemination--- has been linked to this event. This 2021, the award has gone to Biel Mesquida, the writer-poet, founder and director of the Festival de Poesia de la Mediterrània, whose work L'adolescent de sal (1973) is one of the most innovative in contemporary Catalan literature. A book that was censored by the Franco dictatorship for two years. And Regina Giménez is the plastic artist who has donated her work for the award and which we will be able to see exhibited, a piece of which there are only three originals, but which we can all enjoy reproduced both on the bags and on the bookmarks of the event.
The fair is celebrated throughout Catalonia, through the network of associated bookstoresThe list of activities at the fairgrounds is strong and for all audiences, and you can go with the family, as they have also planned events for the little ones.Talks, round tables, poetry, signings, we will be able to enjoy everything, but above all being close to the authors, although as in any good festival, we will have to organize our schedule well if we don't want to miss anything.
The Setmana del Llibre en Català has become an essential event for all literature lovers, especially in Catalan, and one of the most important assets for the literary and cultural industry of our country. And not only that. It is one of the projects that has made Barcelona a City of Literature, declared by Unesco since 2015.
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