Following some criticism in previous editions, the recent Santa Cruz de Tenerife Book Fair has achieved a better evaluation. The expansion of space for the 31 stalls and stands of bookstores and publishers, along with the extension to five days, has contributed to greater satisfaction among authors, booksellers, and publishers. Furthermore, the anticipated reopening of the Librería del Cabildo on Avenida Islas Canarias, near the old Teatro Baudet, has been announced.
The fair takes place in García Sanabria Park, sharing space with traditional flower, plant, and craft exhibitions, as well as musical performances and Canarian folklore, within the framework of the May Festivities. On Sunday, May 3, the city commemorated the 532nd anniversary of its founding in 1494, an event that attracted a large audience. The celebration includes the procession of the wooden cross that gave rise to the city, preserved in the Iglesia de la Concepción, an act that has historically generated debate due to its link with the colonial conquest.
Although the demand for more exclusive space for books remains constant, a significant improvement over previous years is acknowledged. Workers from the Autonomous Culture Organization of the City Council have been praised for their collaboration and attention to the thousands of visitors, despite the simultaneous scheduling of events in different venues such as Ángel Guimerá or Alfonso García-Ramos. The installation of shading elements is suggested for future editions to mitigate the sun.
The reality is that the Book Fair shares space in the Park with traditional flower and plant exhibitions and crafts, lively musical performances, Canarian folklore, children's workshops, and family gatherings, all within the framework of the May Festivities, which so identify our beloved Santa Cruz.
Among the highlighted activities were author presentations. One notable event was the dialogue between a novelist from Tenerife and a journalist from a renowned national media outlet, who discussed the work of the painter Goya and his alleged daughter, Rosario Weiss, the subject of the novel La Hija, winner of the Alfaguara Prize 2026. During the discussion, reference was made to the Spanish Civil War, emphasizing the importance of this event, whose 90th anniversary of the assault on the Republican Civil Government in the Palacio de Carta in Plaza de la Candelaria will be commemorated on July 18.
The fair also served as a platform for Canarian writers, such as an author from Lanzarote, and foreign ones, like an Asturian writer, who explored themes such as desire between women and lesbian identity. Additionally, a journalist interviewed an author from Cádiz, whose poetic work, marked by social commentary and the presence of the sea, has captured the attention of new generations.
