India is participating in Bogotá International Book Fair 2026 as its Guest of Honour Country, marking a significant moment in global literary and cultural exchange. Scheduled to be held from 21 April to 4 May 2026, the Fair also called FILBo, is organised by the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias and is among the world’s most prestigious publishing events, drawing over 600,000 visitors and participants from nearly 25 countries. Bogota 2bogotabBogo
The India Pavilion was jointly opened by Ms. Yannai Kadamani Fonrodona, Colombia’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Knowledge, and H.E. Vanlalhuma, Ambassador of India to Colombia and Ecuador on 21 April 2026. The Pavilion and India’s presentation as ‘Guest of Honour’ country are organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in association with the Embassy of India in Colombia, with the National Book Trust, India as the implementing agency.
Speaking of the India’s participation as Guest of Honour country at the Fair, Shri Shreyansh Mohan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, said that India’s participation at FILBo will pave the way for Indian works to find a new voice in Latin America, adding that it represents not merely a sharing of books but the weaving of a shared cultural horizon.
A 50-member Indian delegation, led by Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT is representing the country, bringing together authors, illustrators, translators and cultural practitioners. On this occasion, Prof. Marathe invited guests to visit the India Pavilion and experience the diversity of Indian culture.
Ms Yannai Kadamani Fonrodona expressed admiration for India’s rich and diverse cultural traditions, particularly its linguistic diversity. Andrés López, President, Corferias, appreciated the well-curated India Guest of Honour presentation, while Emiro Aristizábal, Executive President, Colombian Book Chamber, highlighted the Pavilion’s role in showcasing a diverse collection of books and fostering cultural exchange between India and Colombia.
In his address, the Honourable Ambassador of India to Colombia and Ecuador urged the booklovers to explore India’s multilingual and rich cultural ethos. The ceremony also saw the release of ten books translated into Spanish and featured an Odissi dance performance by Ana Vélez. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Manoj Kumar Sahu, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Colombia, and was moderated by Shri Kumar Vikram, Chief Editor & Joint Director, and Project Head, India Guest of Honour Presentation.
India Pavilion: A Literary and Cultural Showcase
Bogotá International Book Fair 2026 is set to spotlight India as its Guest of Honour Country, marking a significant moment in global literary and cultural exchange. Scheduled to be held from 21 April to 4 May 2026, the Fair also called FILBo, is organised by the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias and is among the world’s most prestigious publishing events, drawing over 600,000 visitors and participants from nearly 25 countries.
The book fair will be inaugurated on 21 April 2026, followed by the inauguration of the curated India Pavilion. The Pavilion and India’s presentation as ‘Guest of Honour’ country are being organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in association with the Embassy of India in Colombia, with the National Book Trust, India as the implementing agency.
At the heart of the Fair will be a sprawling 3,000-square-metre India Pavilion—an immersive space designed to reflect the country’s literary depth and cultural diversity. Conceptualised as a confluence of tradition and modernity, the Pavilion draws inspiration from iconic Indian architectural forms—from the grandeur of Rajasthan’s Amber Fort to the courtyard-style Kerala Nalukettu.
A distinctive Kalighat-style mascot depicting a family reading together symbolises storytelling as a shared, intergenerational experience. The Pavilion’s slogan—Read and Explore India – पढ़ें और जानें भारत – Lee y explora la India—invites global audiences to engage with India’s many narratives.
A 50-member Indian delegation, led by Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, will represent the country, bringing together authors, illustrators, translators and cultural practitioners. Over 100 events are planned, featuring literary discussions, poetry readings, children’s workshops, and cross-cultural dialogues with Colombian counterparts.
The Indian authors' delegation will feature distinguished authors, poets, journalists, scholars, artists including Anant Vijay, Neetu Sharma, Kulpreet Yadav, Jitendra Kumar Soni, Akhilendra Mishra, Manorama Mishra, Shantanu Gupta, Partha Sengupta, Ramanand Pandey, Swarnjit Savi, Usha Upadhyay, Bhushan Bhave, Shiv Prasad, among others.
The Colombian speakers will include Alex Sierra Moncada, board member of the Asociación Amigos de India-Colombia; Andrés Barragán, noted academician; Andrés Hurtado García, prominent Colombian intellectual, photographer and journalist; Emilio Aparicio Rodriguez, Colombian documentary photographer; Fernando Silva, traveler and teacher; Germán Puyana, author and indologist; Harold Trompetero, film director; Laura Natalia Reina Gómez, well-known author; and Rochelle Miranda, culinary expert.
The sessions will span a wide array of themes—from Indian Knowledge Systems and multilingual literary traditions to cinema, artificial intelligence, and India–Colombia cultural connections. Special interactive sessions with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will add a unique dimension, especially for younger audiences.
Aligned with FILBo 2026’s theme, Listening to Each Other is Reading Each Other, India Pavilion will explore the idea of silence through thoughtfully curated spaces and discussions. Reflective zones and exhibitions will invite visitors to engage with silence as a philosophical and creative force within Indian traditions of meditation, contemplation, and knowledge.
A major highlight is a series of seven curated exhibitions that traverse India’s intellectual and cultural history:
Women Thinkers of India through the Ages traces voices from the ancient Therigatha to reformer Savitribai Phule.Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer explores the literary and intellectual legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.Sahitya: Master Voices of Modern India features literary giants including Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand and Mirza Ghalib.Other exhibitions such as Pathana, Prakriti, Bhumi, and India on the Rise explore themes ranging from knowledge traditions and illustration to contemporary achievements in science and infrastructure.India’s participation will also mark the launch of over 50 Indian children’s books translated into Spanish, including bilingual editions—an important step in expanding the reach of Indian storytelling in Latin America.
The 25 Spanish translation list features Cowasjee’s New Nose by Sajjan Singh, What is Hinduism? by Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore: A Life and Gandhi: A Life by Krishna Kripalani, My Little India by Manoj Das, A Primer on Yoga by Ramesh Bijlani, Ayurveda Unravelled by Sharadini Dahanukar and Urmila Thatte, Amazing Octi by Viky Arya, One Night by Cheryl Rao, Holidays Have Come by Rabindranath Tagore, among others.
The bilingual collection includes A Friend Forever by Aindrila Mitra, Anandi’s Rainbow by Anup Ray, Bhakta Salbega by Rabindra Nath Sahu, Friend by Pracheta Gupta, Fu-Ku: An Alien by Jagdish Joshi, I Am Better Than You by Sigrun Srivastav, and Lalu and the Red Kite by Ashish Sengupta and more.
The Pavilion will feature nearly 3,000 books across genres and languages, alongside a dedicated children’s zone offering storytelling sessions, quizzes, and interactive learning experiences.
Beyond books, visitors can experience India through daily film screenings of popular titles such as RRR, Dangal, and English Vinglish, along with documentaries on literary stalwarts.
Cultural performances—including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Rajasthani folk dances, and Hindustani classical music—will animate the Pavilion, offering a sensory journey through India’s artistic traditions. An India-themed culinary space inspired by Lucknow will further enrich the experience.
By bringing together literature, art, ideas, and innovation, India’s presence at FILBo 2026 reflects its identity as both an ancient civilisation and a vibrant contemporary knowledge society. The initiative not only celebrates India’s literary richness but also strengthens cultural ties with Colombia and the wider Spanish-speaking world.
As the world gathers in Bogotá, India invites readers everywhere to discover its stories—layered, diverse, and ever-evolving.