FIL Guadalajara: Jon Arretxe

Basque author Jon Arretxe will be taking part in this year’s Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), one of the most important events in the publishing world and a benchmark for Ibero-American literature. The fair, which gathers hundreds of authors and thousands of book professionals each year in Guadalajara, Mexico, runs this year from November 30th to December 7th. Arretxe is attending the FIL with the Etxepare Basque Institute to present his work and take part in several activities within the official programme.

1st December
7:00 PM | Book presentations: Touré saga
Jon Arretxe
Salón E, Área Internacional, Expo Guadalajara

2nd December
11:00 AM | Ecos de la FIL (Echoes of FIL)
Jon Arretxe
Preparatoria Regional de Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos

3rd December
La ruta de una crónica de viaje
Joseph Zárate, Ignacio Piedrahíta, Jon Arretxe
Salón G, Área Internacional, Expo Guadalajara

On Monday December 1st, Arretxe will unveil his popular series featuring detective Touré, which includes eleven books that have received both critical and popular acclaim. The novels revolve around Mahamoud Touré, an undocumented African immigrant who earns a living as a fortune teller, singer and improvised detective in the San Francisco neighbourhood of Bilbao. With a critical eye, sense of humour, and deep compassion, Touré confronts stories filled with marginalisation, racism, violence, precariousness, and police corruption.

On December 2nd, Arretxe will take part in a meeting aimed at students as part of FIL Joven: Ecos de la FIL (FIL for Young People: Echoes of FIL), and on December 3rd he will participate in the round table discussion “La ruta de una crónica de viaje”, alongside writers Joseph Zárate (Peru) and Ignacio Piedrahita (Colombia). In this conversation, the authors will discuss how travel literature helps us tell stories about distant places and the experiences we encounter along the way, shifting the perspectives of both the writer and the reader. The authors will also address the ethical, narrative, and personal challenges of writing about other places.

About Jon Arretxe

Born in Basauri, Bizkaia, in 1963, Jon Arretxe has lived in Arbizu, Navarra, since 2004. He began his career in travel literature with titles including “7 Colores” (7 kolore), “Tubabu” and “El sur de la memoria” (Oroituz). In recent years, he has established himself as one of the leading names in Basque crime fiction, with works such as “Shahmarán” (Xahmaran), Sueños de Tánger” (Tangerreko ametsak) and “La banda de Arruti” (Arrutiren banda), and perhaps more importantly, the Touré detective series. His career also encompasses children´s and young adult literature, with titles including “Hacia la Gran Muralla” (Harresi handirantz) and “Los latidos de la Tierra” (Lurraren taupadak).

Basque publishing sector at the FIL

Jon Arretxe´s participation is part of the Etxepare Basque Institute’s ongoing efforts since 2011 at the FIL to promote Basque literature in Latin America. Basque. Books. also has its own stand at the fair, an initiative promoted by the Institute and the Basque Government´s Department of Culture and Language Policy in collaboration with the main actors in the Basque publishing ecosystem. This platform aims to enhance the presence of the Basque publishing sector and literary creation in international markets, fairs, and forums, making it easier to circulate, translate, and gain visibility on the global stage.

Euskal Irudigileak, the association that brings together professional illustrators from the Basque Country, will be present at the fair with the support of the Institute, developing an international agenda that contributes to strengthening its position abroad.

FIL Guadalajara

The FIL Guadalajara celebrates its 39th edition this year with Barcelona as Guest of Honour. With over 800 authors from 34 countries, 2,800 publishing houses, and nearly 900,000 visitors, this event, featuring more than 3,000 scheduled activities, remains a key benchmark for the publishing sector in Latin America. In addition to literature, the fair dedicates spaces to thought, art, science, culture and contemporary dialogue.