Cali International Book Fair 2025: Celebrating What’s Ours! - Spiwak Hotels

It's a big year for the Cali Book Fair: we're turning ten! Just like every year, we invite you to join this 10-day cultural gala in our city and neighboring towns to celebrate our literature and that of the world.

If you’re wondering what to read and where to buy books in Cali in 2025, this is the best occasion to learn about the latest in the universe of literature, attend conversations with writers, join workshops, and enjoy yourself with the generous array of family activities this edition of our festival has to offer.

Find out more below:




This 2025 edition of the Cali International Book Fair (FIL Cali) runs for over a week, from Friday, October 24, to Monday, November 3.

Get ready to enjoy countless literary options and entertainment! With nearly one hundred and fifty exhibitors and over a thousand events for all ages and tastes, you’ll find a vibrant atmosphere and magnificent publishers where you can acquire books in Cali.

Best of all, the Fair will be open to the public during extended hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day.

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The core of our festival, just like in previous years, will take place right here in Cali along the Bulevar del Río and Paseo Bolívar, spreading out over 5,000 square meters. This vibrant downtown area will be the hub for concerts, artistic showcases, and meet-and-greets where passionate readers can finally connect with their most admired authors.

But the excitement doesn't stop in the city! The Fair is expanding its reach so that 12 surrounding municipalities in Valle del Cauca and Cauca can also enjoy the festivities. The event will bring writers, workshops, and engaging talks to regional towns like Buenaventura, Buga, Caicedonia, Cartago, Florida, La Cumbre, Palmira, Santander de Quilichao, Sevilla, Tuluá, Yumbo, and Zarzal.

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Colombia has been selected as the Guest of Honor for the FIL Cali 2025, which proudly marks the festival's tenth anniversary. This special decision is largely a celebration of reaching this milestone, recognizing the journey and growth of the local book ecosystem. Through this honor, the Fair aims to highlight and celebrate the publishers, bookstores, and national authors whose ethical and dedicated work is essential to keeping the country's literary culture thriving.

The idea behind choosing Colombia for its tenth year is to focus on and celebrate the powerful ties that unite all Colombians: our shared language, stories, letters, narratives, and history. This concept was embraced with such enthusiasm that publishers are now dedicating their new releases not just to Colombian authors, but to deeply national themes. As a result, 2025 will feature many simultaneous publications covering our nature, fruits, birds, flavors, art, religion, and the diverse popular traditions of Colombia.

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The 2025 edition of FIL Cali will revolve around its slogan, "Colombia País 10" (Colombia Country 10), celebrating the greatness of national culture with a dedicated section for the honored country. This central programming will bring together music, arts, crafts, biodiversity, and, of course, the great talents of Colombian literature. Essential sections are also added, such as "Thinking Today," which invites authors and experts to debate urgent global challenges like Artificial Intelligence, migration, and global warming, offering perspectives that help us better understand the current world. Furthermore, the "Women of Letters" section will highlight the diversity and valuable literary work of today's most outstanding female creators.

The fair will maintain a strong focus on regional production and the formation of new readers. The "Children's" section will offer a playful space to introduce children to illustration, writing, and juvenile novels, while the "I Am Local" and "The Valley and Its Letters" sections will give a privileged space to the authors, writers, storytellers, and poets of Cali and Valle del Cauca, including those who opt for self-publishing. In line with this regional richness, the Colombian Pacific will have a special presence, permeating the discussions and works offered with its unique stories, language, and narratives.

Moreover, the programming diversifies even further to address specific interests and the social impact of literature. This includes "Neuro-powerful," a section dedicated to inclusion that explores neurodiversity (such as Autism Spectrum or Dyslexia) in the context of reading and learning. Other specialized areas include: the "Wellness" section (focusing on mental health, nutrition, and quality of life), "Business Leaders, an Open Book" (highlighting inspiring entrepreneurship stories), and "Why Read?" (a forum dedicated to discussing the benefits of reading and how to encourage it). Also, the Universidad del Valle and the Group of University Publishers of the Pacific (GEUP) will have a strong presence, showcasing the region’s investigative and editorial power.

Closing out the schedule, the Fair is introducing a new feature: a dedicated children's and youth zone. Located right next to the statue of Efraín and María in the Municipal Administrative Center (CAM), this area will constantly host family activities like workshops, talks, and discussions, while featuring numerous works from prominent children's literature publishers. Additionally, the Comfandi Tent will be a key meeting point for schools and teachers, and the Andrés Caicedo Short Story Contest for Young People will continue to stimulate and reward our emerging literary talents.

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The Cali International Book Fair (FIL Cali) is a prime example of a successful alliance among the public, private, and academic sectors. The main organizers of this major festival include the Universidad del Valle (Univalle), the Mayor’s Office of Cali (Alcaldía de Cali), the Cali Public Library Network, and the Fundación Premio Spiwak Ciudad de Cali. This solid foundation ensures the event's high cultural and academic quality while guaranteeing its deep connection with the local community.

The Fair also benefits from extensive support from the Governor’s Office of Valle (Gobernación del Valle), the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Knowledge, over 15 Colombian universities, and a large group of prominent national and regional companies. This massive collaboration solidifies FIL Cali as one of the country’s most important cultural events—a success perfectly reflected in its figures: the last edition welcomed an impressive 450,500 people and generated sales of 66,074 books.

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We have great news for all reading lovers: access to the Cali International Book Fair (FIL Cali) is completely free! This means every attendee can enjoy all the conversations, workshops, exhibitions, and the vibrant cultural atmosphere at no cost throughout the event.

The free admission makes the visit truly unmissable, especially when you consider the sheer scale of the offerings. For 2025, FIL Cali expects to exceed 237,159 different books or titles available for purchase. You'll also have access to over 142 exhibitors and around 1,200 special guests, including authors, experts, and personalities. Simply put, FIL Cali offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore, learn, and take home new literary treasures without paying a cent for admission.

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We look forward to seeing you at our FIL Cali 2025!


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Spiwak Hotels: Your best accommodation option in Cali and the third largest hotel complex in Colombia. Located in the north of the city, with easy access to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, within the luxurious Chipichape Shopping Center. 462 rooms, two swimming pools, gym, parking, and access to all the basic and entertainment services you need: banking area, supermarket, pharmacies, shops, cinema, casino, and many more.

Our spectacular La Zarzuela restaurant features a menu specializing in fusion cuisine, with ingredients from the Colombian Pacific and Mediterranean techniques. The perfect spot to taste the most innovative international cuisine in Cali.

A proud partner of FIL Cali 2025!

*** Por: Tzeitel Topel ***