The news has come as a shock to Madrid's cultural sector. After five years at the helm of the Madrid Book Fair, Eva OrĂșe has been abruptly removed from her position. The decision, announced by the Madrid Association of Booksellers, marks the end of an era that began in 2021 and saw the journalist become the first woman to lead this iconic event in Retiro Park. Although the manner of the dismissal was abrupt, the organizing body justifies the move as a necessary step to face new challenges in the future.
OrĂșe's departure has not been without friction, as the former director herself has publicly stated that she does not agree with the reasons given by the booksellers for her dismissal. According to reports, the communication took place this Monday, making it clear that the relationship between management and the booksellers' association had deteriorated irreversibly in recent months. Despite public acknowledgments of her work in promoting sustainability, the internal atmosphere suggested that a change of leadership was already being considered by the association's board of directors.
A change motivated by the search for a change of cycle
The president of the Booksellers Association, Luis M. Tigeras, insists that this is not a punishment for poor management, but rather the intention to begin a new phase. Their sights are set on 2027, the year the organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and they seem to be seeking a leader who will restore independent bookstores to their central role within the book fair ecosystem. However, for many book professionals, the speed of the dismissal, before the assembly scheduled for this week, is, at the very least, striking.
While the selection process to find a permanent successor is underway, the book fair will not be left without a director. Pablo Bonet, a trusted figure within the organization, has been appointed acting director to ensure the smoothest possible transition. This interim period will serve to calm the waters following a unilateral decision that has caused a division of opinion among the various sectors, especially publishers, who have expressed their explicit support for OrĂșe's management through official statements.
OrĂșe's management has been positively assessed for its ability to modernize the fair and expand its cultural programming beyond simply selling books. However, this same drive for change generated some friction with the more traditional exhibitors. In particular, the introduction of sponsored pavilions and certain discrepancies in the placement of the children's booths fueled discontent that finally erupted after the close of the last edition.
The figures from an edition marked by external obstacles
This cancellation cannot be understood without taking a look at the figures for the 2026 fair. The final numbers showed a turnover of approximately âŹ9,8 million, representing a decrease of almost 3% compared to the previous year. Although it doesn't seem like a complete disaster, the downward trend of the last three years weighed heavily on the final decision. It is clear that the event's coinciding with Pope Leo XIV's visit to the capital significantly hampered travel and kept many potential buyers away from the city center.
Traffic problems were compounded by unforeseen weather events. A stifling heat wave at the start of the fair and several thunderstorms even forced the park to be evacuated at crucial times. One of these early closures, triggered by an orange alert, sparked an angry protest from booksellers against management , who accused them of acting with excessive caution. These isolated disagreements, combined with competition from large-scale events like the Bad Bunny concerts, created a perfect storm that ultimately brought down the current management.
Final controversies and the legacy of Eva OrĂșe
In the final stretch of his term, OrĂșe had to deal with thorny situations that made headlines. One of the most notable was the cancellation of a talk on the Sahara after receiving complaints about the event's approach, which forced the management to issue a public apology. Despite these setbacks, it is undeniable that the book fair gained in bibliographic diversity and international presence under his leadership, something that small and medium-sized publishers have been keen to highlight following his dismissal.
The Madrid Publishers Association was quick to speak out in support of the journalist, highlighting her ability to solve complex problems and her leadership during uncertain times. For many independent publishers, OrĂșe represented a necessary balance between pure business and cultural dissemination , protecting a space where less commercial books could find their niche alongside major bestsellers. This vision, while enriching, seems to have clashed head-on with the more immediate interests of a segment of the publishing industry.
An uncertain future ahead of the association's big anniversary
Between now and 2027, the Madrid Book Fair faces the challenge of redefining its identity without losing the essence that makes it unique in Europe. The selection process for the new director will be crucial in determining whether to opt for continuity or a return to more conservative management models. What is clear is that the role of bookstores will once again be central to all strategic decisions made from this point forward, with the aim of recovering visitor and sales figures from pre-pandemic years.
Eva OrĂșe's departure marks a turning point for an event that, despite this year's weather and logistical setbacks, remains the cultural heart of Madrid each spring. From now on, the sector must work together to ensure that internal tensions do not overshadow the success of future editions, leaving behind a five-year period marked by modernization but also by a growing disconnect between the technical management and the association that owns the festival.
