This year, Catalan literature has significantly strengthened its presence at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). The Catalan pavilion brought together a record number of publishers—110—an increase of 71% compared to the previous year. This surge in interest is not only due to the proactive work of cultural institutions but also because Barcelona was featured as the fair’s guest of honor. This has provided a major boost for new translations of contemporary authors and strengthened connections with the Latin American book market.
Particular attention is being paid to translations into Spanish, which now leads all other languages into which Catalan authors are translated. Spanish accounts for more than a third of all translations, followed by Italian, English, and French at a considerable distance. This growing interest in Catalan literature is driven not only by the quality of the works but also by the active support given to translators and publishers.
Translation Leaders
Among authors whose works most often appear in Spanish are both contemporary writers and renowned classics. For example, the novel «Canto jo la muntanya balla» has become the most translated contemporary book from Catalonia—with 25 translations already published and more editions on the way. Another notable case is Eva Baltasar, whose book «Boulder» made it to the shortlist for the prestigious Booker Prize.
In recent years, children’s and young adult literature has held a special place. Leading names in this genre include Jaume Copons, Meritxell Martí, Rocío Bonilla, Elisenda Roca, and Miriam Tirado. Their books are in demand not only in Spain, but also across Latin America, where publishers are increasingly turning their attention to Catalan authors.
Expanding Collaboration
A key focus has been developing partnerships between independent publishers in Catalonia and Latin America. Although the first steps in this direction were taken back in 2010, when Catalonia participated in the Buenos Aires Book Fair, it is only now that these ties are starting to yield tangible results. This year, Latin American publishers released translations of works by Irene Pujadas and Adrià Pujol, thanks to Barcelona’s active participation in FIL.
However, there are challenges on the path to full cooperation. One of the main issues is that book rights are sold by language, not by country. If a Spanish publisher releases a translation but does not have distribution in Latin America, it is no longer possible to sell the rights to the same book to another publisher. To tackle this, a special seminar was held at the fair for translators to adapt Catalan texts to the various forms of Spanish spoken in Latin America.
Who’s at the Top
Looking at the most translated authors over the past 25 years, leading figures in children’s and young adult literature include Jaume Copons, Meritxell Martí, Rocio Bonilla, Elisenda Roca, and Míriam Tirado. Among contemporary fiction writers for adults are Bel Olid, Jaume Cabré, Joan Margarit, Jordi Sierra i Fabra, Carme Riera, and Andreu Martín.
When considering all genres, the undisputed record-holder for the number of translations into Spanish remains Josep Pla. He is followed by Jaume Copons and such classics as Mercè Rodoreda, Jacint Verdaguer, and Àngel Guimerà. At the Barcelona pavilion during the fair, more than 10,000 books in Catalan and Spanish are on display, offering visitors a broad spectrum of both contemporary and classic regional literature.
Women in the Spotlight
This year, books written by women have attracted particular attention. The best-selling author was Montserrat Roig, followed by Gemma Ruiz and Mercè Rodoreda. This demand reflects a growing interest in women’s voices in Catalan literature, as well as the new themes and styles introduced by today’s female writers.
Overall, the participation of Catalonia and Barcelona at FIL in Guadalajara has been a significant milestone in promoting Catalan literature on the international stage. New translations, expanded cooperation with Latin American publishers, and a focus on women authors are opening up new opportunities for Catalan writers and their readers worldwide.
In case you didn’t know, the Institut Ramon Llull is a government organization established to promote Catalan culture and language outside Spain. It supports translations, organizes cultural events, and helps authors reach international markets. Thanks to the institute’s efforts, Catalan literature is becoming increasingly prominent at major international book fairs and in the catalogs of leading publishers.
