La Setmana del Llibre en Català has concluded its 44th edition on 27 September 2026 in Barcelona with its highest sales value in absolute terms to date. According to the organisers, sales rose by 12 per cent year on year, reaching a total of around one million euros. Another figure reported was approximately 130,000 visitors .
The literary event took place from 18 to 27 September on the Passeig de Lluís Companys . Alongside the book stalls, the programme offered several hundred readings, discussions and workshops. More than 300 exhibitors took part, including numerous smaller publishers, which traditionally enjoy high visibility at the fair.
The organisation attributes the increase to several factors: a larger exhibition area and more events, intensive publicity, and favourable weather on busy days. Observers also point out that sales at open-air events are strongly affected by the weather, so year-on-year comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Independent, final accounts are not yet available; the figures cited now are based on initial estimates.
From a cultural policy perspective, the result confirms Setmana’s role as a key marketplace for Catalan-language literature between the seasonal peaks of Sant Jordi and Christmas. Industry representatives regularly stress that direct contact between readers, authors and publishers encourages purchasing decisions and brings new releases to market more quickly. The fair also serves as a showcase for smaller publishers, which have less presence in bookshops outside major shopping periods.
It remains unclear to what extent this year’s performance reflects structural trends or benefited from one-off effects. In 2025 and 2026, several fairs in Spain and Europe reported mixed results, ranging from declines to significant increases. Against this backdrop, the 12 per cent rise in Barcelona is a strong sign of demand for titles in Catalan, the organisation says. A reliable assessment will only be possible once final figures are available and future editions can be compared.
One thing is clear: the 44th edition of La Setmana del Llibre en Català set a new benchmark for reach and revenue at its Barcelona venue, reinforcing the event’s position in Catalonia’s cultural calendar.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).