Medellin celebrates book in Colombia despite Covid-19

Text by: Najet Benrabaa

The Covid-19 crisis forced the city of Medellin to adapt its cultural programming, such as the Book Festival, whose meetings are now broadcast free online. Video conferences have already started and have attracted more people than during physical events.

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Tuesday March 31, 6 p.m. in Medellin, Colombia. Jose Guillermo Anjel, social communicator, doctor of philosophy and university professor settles down in front of his computer for the launch of his conference on the theme "Diasporas" via a live Facebook . Known by the pen name "Memo Anjel", he has written over fifty books, some academics and others for the general public; news about his Jewish and Algerian origins. Recognized in the Colombian literary world of Medellin, it brought together more than 390 people on the social network, where in normal times, around 80 people fill a room of the Book Festival which attracts, depending on the year, between 5,000 and 50 000 people.

“ The conference went very well. It's a little weird to speak in front of a computer screen without seeing people. But, we have a wider space to expose our ideas, tell anecdotes, share and laugh. We are more relaxed than in front of an audience in a room, because at home we are comfortable, in our favorite chair. In my case, I am free to smoke at the same time without disturbing anyone. "

Glasses on his nose, goat and beard pepper and salt, with a mischievous smile, Jose Guillermo Angel exposes his ideas, quotes authors and historical examples. The public follows with attention. “ Diasporas are part of history. Many peoples have had to travel. In these movements the man gains in knowledge, values, customs .. And it continues. But, we must not believe that this confinement will change the behavior of the human being. The wars and epidemics like the plague which forced the man to hide, to live like moles, proved it. Lessons were not learned. This is what Gabriel Garcia Marquez called "the disease of oblivion". We are experiencing a parenthesis in our lives. "

Colombian reads 5 pounds per year

During this parenthesis, it seems that the interest of the Paisas (inhabitants of Medellin) for reading reawakens. On average, a Colombian reads five books per year, according to a national reading survey carried out in 2017 by the Ministry of Culture. The country is among those who read the most in Latin America. According to Memo Anjel: “ In Medellin, we had a period when the city had more bookstores than the capital Bogota. Then it fell. Book events such as the Book Festival encourage young people to buy and read more local authors. "

This town hall is building on this growth. In fact, for several mandates, many events dedicated to books are organized throughout the year in Medellin and free of charge. Sebastian Trujillo, the undersecretary of the library, heritage and reading department of the city of Medellin, explains that "Book Events" brings together three great moments: Book Days, Reading Pauses, Book Festival. “ Many people are reconsidering the abandoned books in their homes. Some will surely take a liking to it because we are not only talking about the paper book, but also the one that can be read on tablets, on phones. "

The Facebook live and Instagram live organized these days are riding this wave. For Sebastian Trujillo, this health crisis is a propellant. “ All sectors will be affected, including that of the cultural industry. Paradoxically, families currently consume many cultural products: films, documentaries, conferences, books, video games. The fourth industrial revolution will be launched at full speed, because this crisis forces companies to renovate to survive. "

The town hall focuses on the development of the digital offer. It is not without risk. “ For the moment, finances are not threatened. The teams work with the annual budget voted for 2020. But if the situation continues, there will certainly be additional costs. "

Colombia has been in preventive confinement since March 20 and until April 13. The authorities must decide on a possible extension of the quarantine. In the meantime, the Book Festival continues. Readings, conferences and online workshops are scheduled until September.

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