Anticipated Insights from ILB 2025, as Shared by Cristina Rivera Garza

The Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin (ILB) is set to take place from September 11-24, with Cristina Rivera Garza serving as the Curator in Residence. Rivera Garza, a renowned Mexican author, has shaped part of the festival's program, curating literary content that emphasises the importance of translation in understanding diversity and the interconnectedness of different cultures.

Rivera Garza's events at the festival focus on providing plural views generated in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly on issues of migration and gender violence. She believes that everything she writes is engaged and political, as she borrows and defends the language of entire communities.

One of the key events during the festival will be the discussion of Javier Zamora's memoir, which details his journey from El Salvador to the United States. Zamora, a Salvadoran-American writer, will share his personal experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on migration.

Another highlight of the festival is Cristina Rivera Garza's talk about her book, Liliana's Invincible Summer, on September 13. The book, written in both English and Spanish simultaneously, was recently translated into German, marking the first time one of Rivera Garza's books has been translated into the language.

The curator has invited Spanish-language writers who work innovatively on these issues to participate in the festival. The lineup includes Gabriela Wiener, Velia Vidal, Javier Zamora, and other writers from Latin America who have lived in Europe. Rivera Garza is particularly excited about up-and-coming writers such as Velia Vidal, Eliana Hernández-Pachón, Luisa Reyes Retana, and Esther Andradi.

The festival's events are available for tickets, and a full programme can be found on literaturfestival.com. The curator was part of a team of mostly women, aiming to engage people in conversations about relevant issues such as migration and gender violence. Through imagination, she believes that a different vision and way of life can be achieved, not in the future, but right now.

Many of the writers selected for the festival are concerned about their communities and the inescapable conditions of our time. They use their writing as a tool to address and challenge these issues, offering a platform for dialogue and change. The festival aims to engage people in serious and generous conversations about these relevant issues.

The festival's curator, Cristina Rivera Garza, is not just a writer but also an activist in her community. She believes that writing is not an isolating activity, but something that is deeply connected to communities and the world. By curating this diverse lineup, she is inviting audiences to join in these conversations and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world.