On the Scene Buenos Aires: Locals Talk About Current Trends in Their City

My home town has always had a close connection to literature. So it's no surprise that it boasts one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, the Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid, located in an old theater. 

This love of books has grown even more in recent years. Many small independent bookshops, which often also operate as publishing houses, are currently sprouting up in all parts of the city. These shops are the cultural meeting places of their neighborhoods and give young aspiring authors the opportunity to publish their work.  

One of these bookshops is Céspedes Libros in the hip Colegiales neighbourhood. The owner, Cecilia Fanti, specialises in contemporary literature and is also the president of an association for independent booksellers. 

Why are books so popular in Buenos Aires? Perhaps it is because children here are introduced to reading at a very early age. That's why there are so many bookshops specializing in children's and young adult literature. One of them is El Libro de Arena, not far from Centenario Park in the city center. Children's books are not only sold here, but also printed. A great opportunity for authors and illustrators like me to get published.

Mariana Ruiz Johnson grew up in Buenos Aires and works as an illustrator and author of children's books. Her picture book "Mamá" won the prestigious Premio Compostela prize for illustrators.