Generación Bogotá 39—The World Book Capital Picks the Best Latin American Writers Under 39

By Ximena Diego -- Críticas, 5/1/2007

Bogotá World Book Capital and the Hay Festival—the international cultural organization which held it’s annual celebration in Bogotá this year—announced on late last month the 39 most important Latin American writers under 39 years of age. The event took place during the 20th Feria Internacional del Libro Bogotá (Bogota International Book Fair), which ran April 19–May 1. The list, which includes established authors such as Jorge Volpi and Wendy Guerra, is the first step towards answering the question “Where is contemporary Latin American literature heading?” The 39 authors were selected from 200 finalists by a jury of three prominent Colombian novelists: Piedad Bonnett, Hector Abad Faciolince, and Oscar Collazos.

More than 2000 votes were received—from editors, literary agents, authors, and readers—since the call for submissions was announced at the end of the Hay Festival this past January. Among the young authors highlighted are Daniel Alarcón (Perú, 30), author of Guerra en la penumbra (Rayo, 2005; War by Candlelight, HarperCollins, 2005); Claudia Amengual (Uruguay, 38), the 2006 winner of the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz award for Desde las cenizas (“From the Ashes”; Alfaguara, 2005) [Look for the review in the May 15 issue of Críticas Connection.—Ed.]; Antonio García (Colombia, 35,) the Iniciativa Artística Rolex para Mentores y Discípulo (Rolex’s Artistic Initiative for Mentors and Disciple) winner (Mario Vargas Llosa’s mentee) and author of Recursos humanos (“Human Resources”; Planeta, 2006); and Santiago Roncagliolo, author of the 2006 Alfaguara Prize winner Abril Rojo (“Red April”).

In August, the 39 writers will gather to meet with the critics, writers, and readers of the city. Cristina Fuentes, director of Hay Festival in Colombia, said that it was “an opportunity for new writers to share all their strength and energy with the public….” Fuentes added that this initiative will introduce these “new representative of Latin American literature” to wider audiences worldwide.

On April 30, an official ceremony took place declaring Bogotá the UNESCO World Book Capital 2007.

For a complete list of the Generación 39, go to http://www.hayfestival.com/bogota/es-autores.aspx.