During the Book Fair on October 9th, taking place at La Glorieta in Alcoy from October 8th to 11th, the City Council, through the Municipal Cabinet for Linguistic Normalization and in collaboration with local bookstores, has organized an initiative to encourage reading in Valencian. All individuals who purchase a book in this language during the fair days will receive a specially designed cloth bag and bookmark for the campaign, clearly inspired by the historical figure of James I.
The bookstores Detroit, Llorens, Natura, and Plantallibres are participating in this activity. The Book Fair will be open to the public from 10 AM to 10 PM. In addition to the wide range of books available in Valencian, the program includes book signings and presentations with various authors throughout the four days.
The Councilor for Linguistic Policy, Teresa Sanjuán, highlighted that the main objective is to "promote reading and take advantage of the Book Fair on October 9th to encourage children, young people, and adults to read in Valencian." Sanjuán added that "all those who buy a book in Valencian will receive a cloth bag and a bookmark, two items that we hope will have a long life and accompany many readings."
The design of the cloth bag, created specifically for this campaign, features a depiction of James I reading a book and bears the slogan 'El valencià viu si tu el parles' (Valencian lives if you speak it). The bookmark follows the same graphic line.
Among the confirmed authors for signings and presentations are names such as Natàlia Gisbert, Clara Valls, Jordi Tormo, Lirios Bou, and Esteban Ferre, each with their literary proposals.
Through this initiative, the campaign aims to establish the Book Fair as an invitation to read, particularly for younger generations, and to emphasize the importance of books in Valencian as a cultural and leisure option accessible to all citizens.
