The first Madrid Book Fair was organized in 1933 as part of the events of Cervantes Week from 23 to 29 April. Those first book stands, painted in different colors, were installed in the Paseo de Recoletos. Speakers were installed to hear the opening speeches by the authorities as well as the writers of the time.
The Fair in 1934 took the name of “National and Hispano-American.” Installed on the same promenade from May 6th-16th offering the most complete panorama of publishing in Spanish. Two editions in 1935 and 1936 were celebrated before the outbreak of the Civil War. The stands moved back to the Paseo de Recoletos post-war and the fair was renamed the National Book Fair.
Since 1967 the Fair enjoys its current location in the Parque del Retiro. The increasing number of requests for participation of booksellers, publishers and distributors forced to seek a new space: time has shown the wisdom in choosing the Retiro, now closely linked to this annual event. In 1982, it was renamed the Madrid Book Fair and was first inaugurated by the Royal Family. Since then, every year, a member of the Royal Family unveils its new edition with a morning walk among the booths.
Every year there is a new slogan and illustrator to headline the book fair. The corresponding sign at this 75th edition of the Madrid Book Fair is a work of graphic designer and design theorist, Emilio Gil, who has been awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts. It is a “collage” where he has sought to assemble pieces that, as in writing, are born from each other, and which refer to both the child initiation into reading as the work in the workshops of leaving the book, “Proud of its materiality.” You can see posters of past editions here.
When
May 27 to June 12, 2016
Monday to Friday 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 21:30
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11:00 – 15:00 & 17:00 – 21: 30
