Under the theme ‘The confines of books’, this initiative, promoted by the regional government, seeks to continue the legacy of the legendary Noche de los Libros, fostering reading and highlighting the value of writers, bookstores, and libraries.
Over four days, the festival will present a diverse program including meetings in bookstores, conversations between publishers, writers, and readers, as well as activities in cultural spaces throughout the region, as stated by the Community in a press release.
Bookstores such as Las Indomables in Chamartín and Pérgamo in Salamanca will host literary events with authors and publishers, while spaces like Ivorypress in Chamberí will be the setting for dialogues on fields such as neuroscience or urban design. Presentations, book signings, and author meetings in various formats will also take place, with independent bookstores playing a central role as meeting points for writers and readers throughout the festival. Notable participants in this first edition include authors like Espido Freire, Andrés Trapiello, María Dueñas, and Jacobo Bergareche.
Libromad also joins the international Global Book Crawl project, which proposes a tour of independent bookstores. Until Saturday, participants can stamp a literary passport by visiting different establishments and exchange it for a gift at the closing ceremony on Sunday in Plaza de España, where round tables and live music will be held.
The library program began on Thursday with proposals such as the round table ‘Less posturing and more stew: against the tyranny of foodies’ at the Regional Library Joaquín Leguina in Arganzuela, featuring a panel of experts. Also on Thursday, the Library of the Royal Botanical Garden in Retiro hosted the presentation of La voz del viento, while the Public Library Elena Fortún, also in Retiro, in collaboration with Metro de Madrid, held a discussion on the book ‘El alma del suburbano madrileño. Un viaje por las estaciones de la etapa clásica (1919-1944)’, followed by a visit to the Pacífico Engine Shed.
On Friday, an itinerant scenic intervention with readings will depart from the Miguel de Cervantes Library in Colmenar Viejo. On Saturday, Galapagar will celebrate its VI Book Fair at the Ricardo León Municipal Library, and the Casa de Velázquez in Moncloa-Aravaca will host a dramatized reading. Other cultural spaces, such as the Isabel de Farnesio Cultural Center in Aranjuez, will offer object theater proposals.
The grand closing event will take place on Sunday, April 26, in Plaza de España, with a celebration open to all audiences. The day will include a collective reading with hot chocolate, the activity ‘Reading to re-enchant the world’ with authors such as Manuel Vilas and María Hesse, a concert by Billy Boom Band, and the literary performance ‘¿Quién es Celeste Baker?’ by Lourdes Hernández (Russian Red), concluding with music by Alberto & García.
