The Other Side of the Book Fair: The Underground Literary Event Circuit That Publishers Don't Advertise

Beyond Corferias: The Parallel Literary Ecosystem

The Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo) attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Corferias each year. But while major publishers set up their booths and bestselling authors sign copies, there is a literary circuit happening in parallel, in bars, cultural centers, and neighborhood houses. This circuit does not appear on the official fair maps, has no million-dollar sponsorships, and its events are spread through WhatsApp and niche social networks.

In July 2026, when FILBo takes over the Corferias pavilions, this alternative ecosystem will be more alive than ever. Here we tell you where to find it and how to plan your own underground literary route.

Origins

The tradition of parallel literary events in Bogotá is not new. Since the 1980s, when the city began to consolidate its cultural scene, there were gatherings in cafés of La Candelaria and poetry readings in Chapinero bars. But it was from the 2000s, with the massification of FILBo, that an organic reaction emerged: writers and independent editors who felt the fair had become too commercial began organizing their own spaces.

The first documented precedent is the "Poesía en la Cantina" cycle, which began in 2003 in a bar in the Chapinero neighborhood called La Viruta (now closed, but its spirit lives on in other venues). A group of young poets, tired of poetry only being read in formal auditoriums, started doing readings on Thursday nights, with beer in hand and no microphone. The format was simple: anyone could get up and read, with no filters or curation. That cycle lasted five uninterrupted years and laid the foundations for what we now know as Bogotá's underground literary scene.

Another important milestone was the emergence of the Fanzine Market of La Macarena, which started in the late 1990s as an informal gathering of self-published cartoonists and poets. In its early days, it was held in an abandoned house on Calle 28 with Carrera 5, where attendees brought their photocopies and sold them for a thousand pesos. Today, that market has professionalized without losing its essence, and it remains the most important meeting point for self-publishing in Bogotá.

Fun fact: in 2005, during FILBo, a group of independent writers organized a "counter-fair" in a parking lot in Chapinero. They called the event "The Fair of Books Nobody Wants" and managed to attract over 500 people in its first edition. Although the event was not repeated, it showed that there was real demand for alternatives to the commercial offering.

Timeline or Historical Milestones

• 1998: The first Fanzine Market appears in La Macarena, organized by the collective Ediciones Suicidas.
• 2003: "Poesía en la Cantina" is born at La Viruta, Chapinero. First open reading cycle without curation.
• 2005: "The Fair of Books Nobody Wants" in a parking lot on Carrera 13 with Calle 45. Record attendance of 500 people.
• 2010: La Casa de la Poesía is founded in Kennedy, a community space offering free writing workshops for youth from popular neighborhoods.
• 2015: The bar El Boliche (Carrera 5 # 26-42) inaugurates its monthly open mic literary cycle, which remains active today.
• 2018: The Fanzine Market moves to its current location at the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez (Calle 11 # 5-60), with monthly frequency.
• 2022: The Bogotá Alternative Literary Events Network is founded, bringing together more than 30 independent spaces.
• 2024: During FILBo, 47 parallel literary events take place across the city, according to the Network's count.
• July 2026: The number is expected to exceed 60 events, with programming in at least 10 localities.

Key Figures or Events

Readings in Chapinero Bars: The Poetry Cycle Born in a Tavern

Today, the epicenter of bar readings remains Chapinero, but with several venues that have taken the baton from La Viruta. The most well-known is El Boliche, on Carrera 5 with Calle 26. There, every first Thursday of the month, "Verso Suelto" takes place, an open mic cycle that starts at 7:30 pm and goes on until the last poet gets tired. There is no waiting list or prior selection: you arrive, order a beer (from $6,000 COP), and sign up to read. The atmosphere is noisy, sometimes chaotic, but precisely for that reason it works: poetry ceases to be a solemn act and becomes part of the Bogotá nightlife.

Another key space is La Sala de Máquinas (Carrera 7 # 45-18), a bar that combines literature with live music. There, "Narrativa en Vivo" takes place, a monthly cycle where established writers share the stage with newcomers. Admission is free, but it is recommended to arrive early as capacity is limited (about 80 people). Menu prices range from $8,000 COP for a glass of wine to $25,000 COP for a cocktail.

Fun fact: in 2023, during a reading at El Boliche, a poet read a poem that later went viral on TikTok, causing the bar to be packed for three consecutive months. The poem, titled "Bogotá is not a city, it's a hangover," remains the most requested on open mic nights.

Writing Workshops in Kennedy Community Spaces: The Voice of Popular Neighborhoods

Kennedy, the most populous locality in Bogotá, hosts a literary scene that few know about. The most representative space is La Casa de la Poesía, located at Calle 40 Sur # 78-45 (Patio Bonito neighborhood). Founded in 2010 by poet and cultural manager Martha Cecilia Ruiz, it offers free creative writing workshops for young people aged 15 to 25. The workshops are held on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm and require no prior registration: just show up with a desire to write.

Additionally, during FILBo, La Casa de la Poesía organizes the "Neighborhood Reading Marathon", an event that brings together writers from Kennedy, Bosa, and Ciudad Bolívar. In 2025, more than 200 people participated, and for July 2026, the number is expected to be surpassed. The marathon takes place in the main park of Patio Bonito, outdoors, and any attendee can read their texts. Hours are from 2 pm to 6 pm, and admission is completely free.

Another relevant space is La Biblioteca Comunitaria de El Tintal (Avenida Ciudad de Cali # 6C-09), which during the fair organizes autobiographical writing workshops for older adults. These workshops are coordinated by the collective Letras de Barrio, which since 2015 has published four anthologies with stories from Kennedy residents. Workshop prices are symbolic (between $5,000 and $10,000 COP per session) and spots are limited to 30 people.

The Fanzine Market in La Macarena: Self-Publishing and Printed Art That Competes with Major Publishers

The Fanzine Market of La Macarena is, without a doubt, the longest-running and most representative event of self-publishing in Bogotá. It takes place on the first Saturday of each month at the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez (Calle 11 # 5-60), from 10 am to 5 pm. There, dozens of independent publishers gather to sell fanzines, handmade books, prints, and serigraphs. Prices range from $5,000 to $30,000 COP, and most exhibitors accept cash and Nequi transfers.

During FILBo, the market becomes especially relevant because many of its exhibitors are authors who did not get space at Corferias. It is common to find writers there who have been published by independent publishers like Laguna Libros, Ediciones Babilonia, or El Taller Blanco, but who also produce their own fanzines as a way to reach new readers.

Fun fact: in 2024, a fanzine titled "Bogotá Sucia", sold at the market for $8,000 COP, became a collector's item after its author, a 22-year-old young man, won a national poetry prize. Today, that same fanzine is valued at $80,000 COP on second-hand platforms.

If you visit the market in July 2026, look for the booth of Editorial Polilla, which usually launches its new releases right during the fair. Also worth it is the handmade bookbinding workshop offered by La Carpintería Editorial, a space that operates in the same cultural center building (second floor, free admission).

Current Status

Today, Bogotá's alternative literary circuit is more organized than ever. The Bogotá Alternative Literary Events Network, created in 2022, brings together 34 spaces including bars, cultural centers, community libraries, and poetry houses. During FILBo, the network publishes a joint agenda that can be consulted on their social media (@LiteraturaAlternativaBog).

In July 2026, confirmed events include:

• "Poesía en la Calle" in the San Felipe neighborhood (Carrera 7 # 65-10), every Friday of the fair, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Free admission.
• "Narrativas Migrantes" at the Centro Cultural de España (Calle 11 # 5-60), a cycle of readings by Venezuelan and Colombian authors residing in Bogotá. Saturday, July 19, 4 pm.
• "Feria de Libros de Bolsillo" at the Plazoleta del Rosario (Calle 14 with Carrera 6), Sunday, July 20, 10 am to 4 pm. Over 30 independent exhibitors.
• "Taller de Escritura Erótica" at the bar La Negra (Carrera 4 # 19-38), Thursday, July 17, 7 pm. Limited to 20 people, prior registration via Instagram. Price: $15,000 COP.

Reference prices (July 2026) at these events are affordable: most readings are free, workshops range from $10,000 to $25,000 COP, and fanzines can be found from $5,000 COP. It is recommended to check schedules before visiting, as some events may change at the last minute.

How to Plan Your Own Alternative Literary Route During the Fair

If you want to explore this circuit on your own, here is a recommended route for a full day:

1. Morning (10 am - 1 pm): Start at the Fanzine Market of La Macarena. Arrive early to avoid lines. Buy at least one fanzine from an author you don't know (ask them to sign it). Grab a coffee at La Tienda de los Gatos (Carrera 5 # 26-30), two blocks away.
2. Noon (1 pm - 2:30 pm): Have lunch in the La Candelaria neighborhood. Recommended: La Puerta Falsa (Calle 10 # 2-59), with dishes from $18,000 COP. Order the tamal santafereño.
3. Afternoon (3 pm - 5 pm): Attend a workshop at La Casa de la Poesía in Kennedy. Take a TransMilenio to the Patio Bonito station (route F). The workshop is free, but bring a notebook and pen.
4. Evening (7 pm onwards): End at El Boliche, in Chapinero. Take a bus or taxi from Kennedy (the trip costs about $15,000 COP via app). Order a beer and sign up to read. It doesn't matter if you've never written poetry: the audience is generous.

For those who prefer to plan ahead, we have prepared a PDF guide with the complete agenda of alternative literary events during the 2026 Book Fair, including exact addresses, schedules, and updated prices. Download it for free at malokal.com/en/guides/book-fair-underground-2026. The guide is updated weekly during the month of July.

The other side of the Book Fair exists, breathes, and awaits those who dare to discover it.