La Jornada: The 37th edition of Filah begins, “great public square of knowledge”

The 37th edition of the International Anthropology and History Book Fair (Filah) began yesterday at the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA) with an offer of 95 stands and the presence of 85 publishers, universities and distributors, as well as the participation of artisans in more than 350 activities that include 150 editorial presentations, 87 workshops, 22 discussions and conferences, 14 academic forums, 35 artistic presentations, 40 projections and four temporary exhibitions.

The editorial meeting, which will conclude on August 23, is a “great public square of knowledge,” said the president of the organizing committee, José Luis Perea González, technical secretary of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The official highlighted that holding the fair in this venue, with Veracruz and France as guests, means the “dialogue of two of the institute’s essential responsibilities: preserving memory and making it socially significant.”

Echo of the bicentennial of the Mexico-France relationship

Nicolas Broutin, counselor of the French embassy in Mexico, highlighted his enthusiasm because this edition of the fair “echoes the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between France and Mexico.”

He said that the Azcatitlan Codex will be exhibited in the museum starting next September 17. Right there, from September 22 to 25, a large specialized symposium will be held on the most recent findings related to codices, and on October 28 the Great Night of Anthropology will take place, in which “more than 300 French artists, authors and creators will participate in this Franco-Mexican party until the end of November, within the framework of the bicentennial celebrations.”

La Filah will also recognize the importance of the artisan Leocadia Cruz Gómez – known as Aunt Cayita –, the historian María del Consuelo Maquívar and the French researcher Odile Hoffmann. “Women and trajectories that from different spaces allow us to recognize the value of research, social knowledge and community knowledge,” Perea pointed out.

The official opening of the editorial meeting was preceded by the presentation of the Antonio García Cubas 2026 Awards. Among others, the awards for the best book and editorial work in the field of anthropology and history, in its 38th edition, were presented to Mexico City: Seven material categories (UAM), coordinated by María Moreno Carranco and Greig Crysler, in the scientific work category; was recognized Long live pulque! (Ediciones Novo), by Juan Escalona, ​​for his work of dissemination, and in the category of historical novel, The Cervantas of(Hachette), by Martha Bátiz.