Original article: Puente Alto se llena de libros: vuelve la Feria Independiente del Libro

Puente Alto Welcomes Book Lovers Back: The Independent Book Fair Returns

On Saturday, April 18, the 5th edition of the Independent Book Fair of Puente Alto will take place at Parque Nuestra Señora de Gabriela, conveniently located near the Sotero del Río metro station, from 12:00 to 20:00 hours.

The event will bring together independent publishers, bookstores, self-publishing projects, and bookbinding artists. Furthermore, attendees will experience the presence of illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, fanzines, comic collectives, and various formats that delve into visual and literary storytelling.

This gathering encourages exploration of a diverse creative space filled with learning and connection, featuring workshops on bookbinding, poetry, crafts, sciences, body arts, and even nature. The collective aim is to share knowledge, activate memory, and infuse the area with vibrant culture.

In an interview with El Ciudadano, the FILPA team stated that the main goal of this fifth edition is to enhance cultural exchange and connection, seeing the fair not just as a space for observation or consumption but as a hub for dialogue, bonds, and collective meaning-making. Their principal interest is to foster discussions between various perspectives on the world, encompassing literary, artistic, and territorial viewpoints.

“There is a strong intention to breathe life and diverse expressions into a space that often lacks access to such opportunities, aiming for a more lively, open, and collective fair. Part of this goal involves collaborating with local social organizations alongside authors, artists, and their respective crafts, thereby encouraging community participation in cultural spaces,” they added.

Regarding differences from previous editions, the team highlighted a significant change in location: “We will now be in Parque Gabriela, an urban park in Puente Alto where various cultural activities and free workshops are available to the community, surrounded by nature and wildlife. This greatly transforms the experience and opens new possibilities for interaction.”

Additionally, this year will feature themed book presentation tables strategically designed to foster dialogue between authors and their works, rather than isolated presentations.

Workshops will continue to be part of the fair, with a focus this year on enhancing integration and dialogue across different perspectives. New, innovative musical proposals will also contribute to a more festive and diverse atmosphere.

Regarding the impact of this initiative in Puente Alto, the FILPA team expressed hopes for a significant positive effect on the community, aiming for it to be perceived as a collective space where both residents participate actively and feel a sense of belonging.

“We are keen to contribute not only to cultural access but also to building everyday connections, networks, and inspiring the emergence of further collective initiatives in the area. There is a commitment to valuing memory, local identity, and community life,” the organization stated.

In this context, they explained that the involvement of local artists and projects is central, not supplementary, to the fair. As a self-managed initiative, collectives, publishers, and local organizations have actively participated since the beginning.

Lastly, regarding the variety of workshops to be offered, they noted that this is a response to the desire to break the notion that culture exists in isolated disciplines.

They also indicated a pursuit to broaden the concept of writing and expression, showing that it can occur in multiple formats—not just in books but also through body, music, or manual crafts. Essentially, they aim to create an experience where people engage, converse, and take something personal from their time at the fair.

“We want the audience to be surprised, to discover unexpected intersections, and to feel invited to participate without needing to be an expert in anything. The workshops are designed more as spaces for experimentation, play, and collective creation than as formal learning instances,” they concluded.

Below is the schedule of workshops:

12:00: Learn to repair your beloved books with @empastetodo in Room 6

14:00: Fanzine Workshop in Cyanotype by @colectivovisitante in Room 8

15:00: Pens and Ink: Writing Inspired by Birds by @pajaristicaviajero in Room 2

15:30: The Language of the Body: Introduction to Belly Dance by @chilko.danzadelvientreentribu in Room 1.

16:00: Cultivating Native Plants by @viveropanul in Room 7

16:00: Color Belinda from El Mapa de Belinda (@la_wencita) in Room 8

16:00: Poetry and Collage: The Poem of Chile by Gabriela Mistral by @marderetazos in Room 9

16:30: Cueca Writing Workshop: Analyzing the Strophic Form of Cueca: Innovations and Contemporary Applications by @flowderaiz in Room 2

Additionally, as a permanent exhibition for this edition, we will have: Memories from the Periphery by Ludotéca Nómade.

For more information, check the social media of @filpacordillera