For the first time, Chile is present at the Ica International Book Fair!

On 14 and 15 June, renowned Chilean writer Paula Ilabaca, winner of the Pablo Neruda National Poetry Prize (2015), represented our country at the Ica International Book Fair. This first-ever Chilean participation was possible because the Embassy of Chile in Peru was awarded funding from the Programme of Cultural Activities Abroad (PACE) run by DIRAC.

During her visit, Paula Ilabaca presented her latest crime novel, “La mujer del río”,

a work of fiction based on real events that shocked the public in the mid-1980s. The presentation took the form of a conversation with local journalist and writer Leydy Loayza.

The Chilean author took part in a Peru–Chile poetry recital, where she shared verses from her work “La perla suelta” (2009).

In addition to her participation as a novelist, Ilabaca – known for her acclaimed narrative poetry collections “La ciudad Lucía” (Editorial Mantra, 2006) and “La perla suelta” (Editorial Cuarto Propio, 2009) – took part in a moving poetry gathering with local writers, where she shared verses from her most significant works. This “Peru–Chile Recital” took place on Sunday 15 June in the fair's main auditorium, with the support of the Embassy of Chile.

FIL Ica 2025 ran from 9 to 22 June, offering a broad and diverse programme of more than 50 activities, including book presentations, lectures, music and theatre.