President Nicolás Maduro at the inauguration of FILVEN 2025 at the National Gallery of Art in Caracas, Venezuela, July 3, 2025. Photo: FILVEN.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro inaugurated the 21st International Book Fair (FILVEN) 2025 at the National Art Gallery (GAN) in Caracas. He was accompanied by Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas and Minister for Communication and Information Freddy Ñáñez.
President Maduro described the book fair, which started on Thursday, July 3, as a celebration of knowledge, culture, learning, and universal identity. He highlighted that it concentrates “the best of history and the brilliance of Venezuelan and universal culture.”
During his speech, the Venezuelan president stressed the importance of preserving books in physical format and that they reach all hands in the country. He also proposed the creation of a mission for the book revolution, to increase reading circles in Venezuela, foster the prevalence of books, and promote reading in high schools, universities, community circuits, communes, and cultural centers.
President Maduro also expressed the need to reorient the historical narrative so that it reflects and respects the “millenary, diverse, mixed, and beautiful history” of the peoples. He criticized the “colonialist and Eurocentric” version of history that has prevailed, urging everyone to recognize the deep roots and contributions of the world’s cultures instead of reproducing an imposed narrative that minimizes or ignores nations’ identity.
In this regard, he questioned educational institutions’ constant repetition of a story that “everything was born in Greece, everything was born in Rome,” while still recognizing the achievements of these two ancient cultures and their contributions to the world.
President Maduro also highlighted the crucial role of the printing press in history, pointing out that the Liberator Simón Bolívar carried “the artillery of thought” with him. He highlighted how Bolívar built the “most powerful army of the people ever known in the history of America, and always kept in mind the importance of ideas in addition to military tactics and resources.”
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He also spoke about the communicational revolutions that have transformed humanity, from the arrival of cinema, radio and television in the 20th century, to the present day with the “fifth revolution:” the digital revolution. He emphasized the “hegemonic dominance of social networks as a form of expression and communication of contemporary society.”
For his part, Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas highlighted that Commander Hugo Chávez initiated a great cultural revolution. “This creation of Commander Chávez, FILVEN, is 21 years old today thanks to his commitment. It is part of the fundamental lines that President Maduro has instructed,” he said.
Villegas reported that Egypt is the guest country of honor in FILVEN 2025 and that the state of Guayana Esequiba participates as a special guest.
He also pointed out that several Venezuelan writers will be honored, including Yudith Valencia, as an act of historical justice, and Juan Calzadilla, as an outstanding poet and writer. Villegas also highlighted that this is the first time that Japan is participating in FILVEN.
The event was attended by Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Abdelsalam Hanno; the director of the Library of Alexandria, Ahmed Addalla Zayed Hegab; and the Ambassador of Egypt to Venezuela, Karen Amin. They are accompanied by a delegation of over 30 guests, including writers, researchers, publishers, and officials.
The 2025 edition of FILVEN will continue until July 13 at the National Art Gallery and the Plaza de la Juventud in Caracas. It consists of a program of over 600 literary and cultural activities, the participation of publishing houses from 18 countries, and the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists, and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity, led in Venezuela by writer Luis Britto García.
Participating countries include Argentina, Peru, Spain, Egypt, Mexico, Cuba, and China. Attendees will be able to explore new publications and national and international literary classics through book presentations, forums, talks, and thematic pavilions, with special focus on children’s and youth literature.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SF
