- The most important literary event in the Balearic Islands will be held from October 2 to 5
- Siri Hustvedt, Joana Marcús and Javier Cercas, amongst others, have joined the line-up for this event
- The opening ceremony will feature a performance by French singer Anaïs Rosso, followed by a literary event with Mallorcan writer Joana Marcús and a monologue by Bob Pop
The Expanded Literature Festival in Magaluf - an initiative of the Rata Corner bookstore and INNSiDE by Melià and supported by Calvià Town Hall, the Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics, the Consell de Mallorca and the Ministry of Culture - will be held from October 2 to 5. This event will bring together around thirty writers, along with more than a dozen artists, musicians, and cultural professionals.
The fifth edition, which claims to be the most international to date, is notable for the participation of American writer Siri Hustvedt, 2019 Princess of Asturias Award Winner for Literature, authoress of landmark novels such as What I Loved and The Blazing World (finalist for the Man Booker Prize). Her work has been translated into more than 30 languages, making her an international cultural icon.
Also worth noting is the presence in Magaluf of another North American voice, Rita Bullwinkel, who published her first novel in 2024, with which was a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize and was considered one of the best of the year by The New York Times and The Guardian. It will arrive in bookstores in a few days under the title Headshot. The international panel is completed by Helen Fielding, authoress of Bridget Jones, and Argentine writers Pedro Mairal and Dolores Reyes. It should be noted that John Boyne will ultimately not be present for reasons beyond the festival's control.
At the national level, Joana Marcús' participation will stand out. The Mallorcan writer is a leading figure in Spanish-language young adult literature and is the second best-selling authoress in Spain and Latin America. Also stands out the participation of Javier Cercas, whose latest book, El loco de Dios en el fin del mundo, remains amongst the best-selling books and has earned him numerous awards over the past year.
Also participating in this fifth edition are writers Isaac Rosa, Paula Bonet, Marta Jiménez Serrano, Sebastià Portell, Sandra Miró, Laura Gost, Alexandre Escrivà, Joan Llinàs, Rafael Tarradas, and María Agúndez; poets Damià Rotger and Antoni Vidal Ferrando; illustrators Ana Jarén and Check in Mela; musicians Carlos Sadness and Miguel Marcos; the chef (and winner of MasterChef 10) María Lo and the communicators Mikel López Iturriaga and Lorena Macías.
All this without forgetting the names already announced a few weeks ago: Megan Maxwell, Antònia Vicens, María Oruña, Eva Baltasar, Blanca Lacasa, Glòria de Castro, and the illustrator Agustina Guerrero
MUCH MORE THAN LITERATURE
In addition to the literary meetings, FLEM stands out for its extensive complementary programme with musical programming, artistic installations located in the Secret Rooms, live podcasts or guided tours of Magaluf, amongst other activities.
Thus, the musical performance of the French singer Anaïs Rosso during the opening ceremony and the De cuerpo presente performance by Bob Pop have been announced. A shared reading in which she responds with new poems to those she included 27 years ago in her eponymous poetry collection.
The Travel to Zero stage, a responsible tourism guide created by Proa Group, will host live performances by Ona Mafalda, One Man Rocks, The Hawaiians and the stage proposal created ad hoc for FLEM by Aina Zanoguera and Carme Serna “39º a l’ombra” in which music and dance blend and serve the narrative of Antònia Vicens.
The same stage will also feature the recording of an episode of the IB3 programme “Aire”, directed by Joan Cabot and in which he will interview Catalina Feliu and the podcasts Mucho Texto, Mamarracha and Llegir per Llegir hosted by Mariona Ramis and María Grande.
During the weekend, attendees will also be able to enjoy the Quadernit, the quiz show by the creators of Cuaderno de Blackie Books, which has already become a festival classic, the screening of Bridget Jones' diary, a guided tour and clean-up of the critical biological area of the Magaluf Marina with the Red Cross, the routes through Magaluf carried out on the one hand by Tomeu Canyelles and Gabriel Vives focusing on history, while Toni Sorell de Rotuïlla will show the graphic heritage and neon lights.
In addition, the European Writers' Championship will be held in Magaluf, in which the Spanish football team 'La Cervantina' will participate, made up of writers and their Italian and German counterparts.
INNSiDE Secret Rooms
The most disruptive space of the festival are the artistic installations located in the Secret Rooms. A week ago, the participants for this edition were announced at a press conference held at the Fundació Miró Mallorca.
Amongst the highlights will be Joan Miró with an exhibition of lithographs and a presentation by artist Albert Pinya, who collaborates with pattern maker Georgina Ordinas. Muralist Sergi Solé and illustrator Patricia Bolaños and Ana Jarén will also participate with a proposal. Various workshops offered thanks to the collaboration of Meliá Rewards will also be announced. In addition, DJ sessions hosted by Sideways, Cobie, Gÿe, and Marlon Rudolph, amongst others, will be available on the terrace.
Professional Conferences
One of the novelties in this edition is the 'Professional Conferences', where editors, journalists, writers, and other industry professionals will discuss the challenges and changes in the publishing industry, copyright, and literary adaptations to theatre, music or other disciplines.
Full programme & registration
Registration for literary talks and guided tours will open next Tuesday the 16th via the festival website www.flemfestival.com. All activities are free of charge for the general public.
