Belize at the Segundo Encuentro de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil in Guatemala
Belize has just returned from Guatemala City, where a small delegation of publishers, writers, and creators participated in the Segundo Encuentro de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil de Centroamérica.
Held immediately before this year's Feria Internacional del Libro en Guatemala (FILGUA) as part of the fair's professional programme, the Encuentro brought together 95 participants from every country in Central America for three days of presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative conversations centred on children's literature, illustration, reading, and creativity.
The gathering provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, strengthen professional networks, and explore ways to foster a stronger culture of reading among children and young people throughout the region. Participants celebrated the richness and diversity of Central America while working together to build a more connected and vibrant children's book community.
This marked Belize's second participation in the regional event, reflecting the country's growing contribution to Central America's children's publishing sector.
Belize was represented by Montse Casademunt of Cubola Publishers, who facilitated a panel discussion on children's literature in the native languages of the Caribbean coast of Central America; Katie Usher of Imagination Factri, who presented her work nurturing creativity and documenting and amplifying marginalised narratives; and Silvaana Udz, who shared the National Kriol Council's efforts to preserve and promote the Kriol language through the publication of the Kriol Dikshineri.
Belize's presence at the Encuentro also extended beyond the programme itself. Last year, Belizean illustrators were featured in the regional exhibition and the newly published Catálogo de Ilustradores. This year, Belize's publishing sector was recognised through its inclusion in the Catálogo de Editores. Together, these landmark publications showcase the creative talent and publishing capacity of Central America and will serve as valuable reference resources for future regional collaboration.
The Belize Book Sector Network is proud to see Belize continuing to strengthen its relationships with colleagues across the region. Opportunities such as the Encuentro help raise the profile of Belizean books, creators, and publishers while opening doors for future partnerships, knowledge sharing, and collaborative projects that benefit the country's growing book sector.
The event was coordinated by Libros para Niños and supported by numerous national and international organisations. BBSN congratulates the Belize delegation on representing the country and contributing to this important regional conversation.
For more information about Libros para Niños, visit: lpninos.org
More information about the Feria Internacional del Libro en Guatemala (FILGUA) can be found at: filgua.com
