The 20th International José Eustasio Rivera Novel Biennial achieved a record 374 unpublished works from 20 countries, tripling previous participation due to the centenary of La Vorágine. This milestone underscores José Eustasio Rivera's enduring legacy a century after his iconic work. Colombia led with 181 submissions, followed by Argentina and Spain.
The International José Eustasio Rivera Novel Biennial, in its 20th edition, marked the centenary of La Vorágine with unprecedented participation. Published in 1924, José Eustasio Rivera's novel inspired writers worldwide, leading to 374 submitted works—a 222.4% increase from previous editions. This growth, tripling the 75 entries from 2016, is directly linked to the anniversary's momentum, according to analysts.
Tania Peñafiel, Neiva's Secretary of Culture and event organizer, noted: “Overall, participation was very good, with 374 works from 20 countries, including Colombia, featuring a strong Ibero-American presence, as well as from the United States and Europe.” Of the submissions, 181 came from Colombia, accounting for 48.4%, followed by 50 from Argentina and 47 from Spain. Other nations like Venezuela (21), Mexico (15), and Chile (12) were active participants, alongside European countries such as Italy, Romania, and France.
Gender distribution, however, showed imbalances: 87.7% of participants were men (328), with only 12.3% women (46). Experts like Huila writer Isaías Peña Gutiérrez stated that this figure places the biennial among Latin America's top five novel awards for volume and tradition. Peña highlighted the centenary's role in drawing greater visibility and historical legitimacy to the contest.
Though the cash prize was reduced, it remained appealing, solidifying the biennial's prestige in Latin America with European outreach. Despite the anniversary-driven peak, observers stress the need for strategies to maintain this level in future editions, such as 2027, and to boost gender equity. This record not only honors Rivera's legacy but prompts reflection on the contest's structural challenges.