The motto "April, a thousand books" has become a cultural reference for numerous municipalities that, taking advantage of Book Month, fill their agendas with activities related to reading and book clubsLiterary creation and citizen participation. In various Spanish towns, libraries, departments of Culture and Equality, and civic centers coordinate initiatives that combine book presentations, storytelling, film screenings, fairs, and collaborative campaigns.
In this context, cities and towns like Arnedo (La Rioja), La Zubia (Granada) or A Illa de Arousa (Pontevedra) They are consolidating proposals in April under the umbrella of "April, a thousand books." Although each municipality adapts the program to its own reality, they all share two clear objectives: to promote reading habits and to make literature an open, accessible space, and in many cases, one committed to equality and diversity of voices.
Arnedo: a whole month of books, movies and activities for all ages
In Arnedo, the Department of Culture and the Municipal Public Library They are promoting a comprehensive program under the slogan "In April... a thousand books," which transforms the month into a true celebration of reading. The Councilor for Culture has outlined a schedule that combines meetings with authors, children's activities, film screenings, and street events, with the aim of bringing literature to all audiences.
The schedule of literary presentations is spread throughout the month. On Wednesday, April 8, Mar Aísa Poderoso He inaugurates the cycle with his work "The Frosted City". A few days later, On Friday the 10th, César Herce from Arnedo presents the comic book "Sagasta", and On Monday the 13th, Noelia López Ibáñez It presents "Understanding the Process." These events allow the public to engage directly with contemporary creation, with a special focus on authors with local ties.
Programming continues Wednesday the 15st with historian Carlos Muntión, who will present issue number 57 of the magazine "Piedra de Rayo," a cultural publication that broadens its focus beyond conventional narrative. Towards the end of the month, On Monday the 27th, the writer María Cestafé She will be the star of the show with her novel "Love Among Secrets," in an event that coincides with the celebration of Book Day for adults.
The family and children's aspect also occupies a prominent place. Friday 17 A storytelling session in English for children aged 5 to 7 has been scheduled. This free activity, which requires prior registration, combines language learning and promoting a love of reading. On the same day, the event "Image and Poetry: Peña Isasa," presented by artists from Arnedo, will take place. María Ángeles Herrero Gil de Muro and José Amatriaín León, where visual creation and poetic text are mixed.
For the little ones, The last session of "Lap Readings" will be held on Tuesday, April 21st.This activity, aimed at children between 18 months and 3 years old, encourages early contact with books in the company of their families. The idea is to begin the connection with reading from a very young age, in a close and nurturing environment.
El April 23, International Book DayThe Cultural Center will host a meeting with children and young people where library cards will be distributed to children born in 2023 or who will turn 3 in 2026, according to the different versions of the program released by the City Council. The event will also recognize the most outstanding readers of the past year, and the day will include a performance by [artist name missing]. magician Puk and his show "The Lost Library", which uses magic as a marketing tool to reinforce the role of public libraries.
One of the most anticipated moments is the Book fair on Sunday, April 26The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 14:00 PM at Puerta Munillo. Local bookstores will offer a 10% discount on purchases made during the day, reinforcing the role of local businesses in promoting reading. At 12:30 PM, the space will be transformed with street theater. "The magic pitcher"designed to liven up the atmosphere and attract a diverse audience.
The program is rounded out with other ongoing and audiovisual offerings. Among them 7 and 30 for AprilThe library will launch the "Books to Share" initiative, which encourages users to exchange readings and recommendations. In addition, several films with a clear literary or educational connection will be screened. "Reading 'Lolita' in Tehran", on Thursday the 16th; the children's film "Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake", on Sunday the 19th; and "The Miserables"On Sunday the 26th at the Cervantes Theatre, the actor from Arnedo, Javier Martínez-Losa Zapata, will return to the stage with his adaptation of "Las ratas" by Miguel Delibes.
With all this deployment, Arnedo reinforces its commitment to culture as a tool for cohesionThroughout April, we offer an itinerary that connects readers, authors, bookstores and public spaces, with activities designed for both those who are already regular library users and those who are visiting for the first time.
La Zubia: Readers as Prescribers and a Focus on Literature Written by Women
In the Granada municipality of La Zubia, the "April, a thousand books" campaign reaches its ninth editionIt has become one of the most recognizable events on the local cultural calendar. Driven by the Department of Equality, the initiative focuses on literature created by women and the active participation of citizens, who become a central part of the project.
The approach is simple and participatory: neighbors become literary influencersTo participate, interested individuals should send a photograph of themselves with the book they wish to recommend, along with basic information about the work (title and author's name) and a brief personal statement explaining why they recommend it. All materials should be sent to the official email address igualdad@ayuntamientolazubia.com, managed by the Equality Department of the La Zubia Town Hall.
As the mayor explained, Puri LópezThe aim of this campaign is to "fill the shelves of homes and libraries with women's books" and continue to recover the female talent that, for many years, has had less visibility in the publishing world. The city official emphasizes that "April, a Thousand Books" has become a tradition and that each edition expands the network of readers who discover and recommend female authors.
Councilwoman Equality, Rebeca SánchezHe also emphasized the symbolic nature of this proposal, which is not limited to selecting books, but seeks "occupying spaces" with women's voices who write about the world from diverse perspectives. Through photographs and comments submitted by citizens, the Equality Center compiles a special selection of recommendations that is disseminated throughout the month via institutional channels, transforming La Zubia into a literary showcase where female authors take center stage.
The City Council encourages participation throughout April, reminding everyone that No specialized knowledge is required To recommend a book: all you need to do is have enjoyed reading it and want to share that experience with others. The campaign's format makes it easy for any resident, regardless of age, to contribute their suggestion, allowing for a wide variety of titles to be gathered, from classics to contemporary works, fiction, poetry, and essays, all written by women.
Over the years, "April, a thousand books" in La Zubia has taken shape a collective memory of shared readingsEach edition adds new authors, perspectives, and testimonies. The focus on equality is thus naturally integrated into the promotion of reading, demonstrating how a cultural campaign can also contribute to reflection on the representation of women in literature.
A Illa de Arousa: Encounters with authors and a diversity of literary genres
In Galicia, the Department of Culture of A Illa de Arousa It also embraces the spirit of "A Thousand Books in April" with a program that emphasizes direct interaction between authors and the public. Coinciding with World Book Day on April 23, the municipality is preparing a series of activities that will take place in various local cultural venues and encompass a wide range of genres, from poetry to football chronicles and comics.
The first date will take place Friday, April 10 at the Conserva Interpretation Center, where the poetry collection "Requiem" will be presented. Eugénio Outeiro. The next day, Saturday 11It will be the poet's turn Dula Piñeiro, who will present his book "Verbas Engaioladas" on the second floor of the Modernist Houses, a space that allows combining architectural heritage and literary activity.
The narrative in the form of a chronicle will arrive Saturday April 18 with the presentation of “Afouteza Celtista, Gramática do Fútbol Celeste”, by Manuel BragadoIn an event scheduled in the Plenary Hall, football serves as a starting point to address issues of collective identity and sporting passion, connecting with an audience that may not usually attend literary events.
The program will conclude Saturday 24 with a double session of presentations, again at the Interpretation Center. On the one hand, Sofia Muñiz He will present his poetry collection "A Autorización do Centro da Palabra" and, on the other hand, Miguel Pérez Ramudo The event will feature the comic book "Castelao in Pontevedra (1916-1936)," which explores the figure of Castelao and his historical context. All these activities are free and will begin at 18:00 p.m., making them accessible to the general public.
With this cycle, A Illa de Arousa It reaffirms its commitment to Galician culture and to the diversity of formats.From poetry to historical comics, the festival uses April to solidify an annual event centered around books and reading. The motto "In April, a Thousand Books" serves as the guiding thread for a program that seeks to balance accessibility, literary quality, and community participation.
The various initiatives linked to "April, a thousand books" show how, in different parts of SpainApril has established itself as a month in which reading takes center stage in local cultural life. From the intensive activities in Arnedo, through the participatory and gender-focused campaign in La Zubia, to the literary gatherings in A Illa de Arousa, the common denominator is clear: bringing books closer to the public, giving visibility to authors, and reinforcing the role of libraries and cultural spaces as places for meeting, dialogue, and equality.
