The 49th edition of FLAOS will transform Seville's Plaza de San Francisco, from September 25 to October 18, into a space dedicated to old and second-hand books. Under the theme ‘Old Books, New Stories’, the fair will offer a cultural program including author encounters, workshops, guided tours, and free activities for all ages.
The Seville City Council, through its Tourism and Culture Department, organizes this fair which, in addition to the traditional offerings from old bookshops nationwide, presents a diverse cultural program. José Manuel Quesada, director of the Association of Friends of Old Books, states their aim is to “take a qualitative leap in the Fair’s cultural offerings, bring it closer to new audiences, and champion the old and second-hand book as a living cultural object”.
Angie Moreno, delegate for Tourism and Culture, highlighted that a key focus will be a series of round tables held in the Sala Logia of the Seville City Hall. These sessions will bring together prominent figures from literature and journalism to discuss our relationship with books, the relevance of classics, and new ways of reading.
The series will kick off on September 29 with ‘Invisible Memories. What is a Book Worth?’, featuring Marta Sanz discussing books as cult objects and inherited readings, accompanied by journalist Patricia Godino.
On October 6, the round table ‘Is Everything Already Written?’ will host writers Elvira Navarro and Sara Mesa, moderated by journalist Paco Camero, who will reflect on the influence of classics in contemporary literature.
The series will conclude on October 13 with ‘Young Old Readers’, a conversation between poet Rosa Berbel, literary influencer Candela Ferreira, and writer Pepe Pérez Muelas, moderated by Gonzalo Gragera, focusing on young readers and their connection with books.
Additionally, Colombian writer Héctor Abad Faciolince will serve as the fair's opening speaker on September 24 at 8 PM at the Círculo Mercantil de Sevilla. Abad Faciolince, author of works such as Oblivion We Carry with Us, is a significant voice in contemporary Ibero-American literature.
For the first time, guided tours of the Fairgrounds will be offered, designed to explore the stalls, highlight the unique aspects of participating bookstores, and showcase the treasures they hold. Writer and journalist Eva Díaz Pérez will inaugurate these tours on September 28 at 6:00 PM, followed by Andrés González Barba on October 5. Advance registration will be required.
FLAOS will feature 23 exhibitors: 21 bookstores from across the country and two institutions (Seville City Council and Seville Provincial Council). The exhibition ‘Old Books, New Stories’ will also be displayed in the stalls, showcasing the work of the city's old booksellers.
The Association of Friends of Old Books will publish a reedition of Relación de una travesura acaecida en Sevilla (Account of a Mischief that Occurred in Seville), by Lorenzo de Miranda (pseudonym of Luis Montoto), recounting an anecdote involving 19th-century collectors, the Duke of T'Serclaes and the Marquis of Jerez de los Caballeros.
The Royal Sevillian Academy of Fine Letters will host the II Old Book Conference from October 6 to 8, featuring lectures on various aspects of old books, from their origins to their material dimension and the role of bibliophile women.
Under the concept ‘Caring for the Old’, the fair includes workshops on artisanal printing by Tiporium (October 1 and 16) and lettering and calligraphy with Sonia from @quilustraletras (October 8 and 15), promoting the value of handmade crafts.
For children and families, activities include ‘Treasure Hunters’ on September 26 at 12 PM, led by actresses Irene Pozo and Esperanza Merino, and storytelling sessions ‘Tales of Yesterday, Today, and Forever’ with Carloco on Sundays, September 27, October 4, and October 18 at 12 PM.
The fair's poster is designed by Sevillian illustrator Miguel Brieva. FLAOS aims to promote reading, disseminate bibliographical heritage, and defend the printed book, connecting with the present and diverse audiences under the philosophy of ‘Old Books, New Stories’.
