{
  "id": 2429655,
  "title": "Medellin Prepares for the 20th International Book and Culture Festival",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/medellin-prepares-for-the-20th-international-book-and-culture-festival",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T20:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/08/21/medellin-international-book-culture-festival/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Medellín is gearing up for its 20th International Book and Culture Festival, an event that celebrates the joy of reading and brings together literature, art, music, film, and various cultural expressions. Set to run from September 11 to 20, the festival boasts a 10-day program featuring over 1,000 free activities, making it accessible to all ages and backgrounds.\n\nThe festival's main theme, \"Journeys Through Reading,\" emphasizes reading as a means of exploring new worlds, building connections across cultures, and fostering a love for books. South Korea has been named the guest country of honor, bringing its rich literary tradition and diverse cultural offerings to Medellín. Meanwhile, the Mexican independent publishing house Almadía will showcase contemporary Mexican literature, highlighting the role of independent publishers in the Latin American literary landscape.\n\nMedellín has chosen to highlight Don Quixote, a beloved literary figure, throughout the festival. This inclusion offers a chance to delve into various interpretations of Cervantes' masterpiece and its impact on literature and culture. The festival will take place in iconic venues such as the Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, Parque Explora, and other key locations in the northern part of the city.\n\nBeyond book signings and presentations, visitors can expect an array of performances, including concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and theater productions. The festival also caters to industry professionals with seminars on editing, book distribution, and audience engagement. As Medellín prepares to become World Book Capital 2027, the 20th edition of the International Book and Culture Festival serves as a prelude to this prestigious honor, further cementing the city's commitment to promoting reading, literature, and cultural exchange.",
  "summary": "Medellin is preparing to host a new edition of the International Book and Culture Festival, one of Colombia’s leading literary events. The 2026 edition will take place from Sept. 11 to 20 and will celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary with a program combining literature, art, music, film and different cultural expressions. Activities will be held […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}