The organizers of the Zabaliburu festival have announced that they will present their main award to the illustrator Elena Odriozola. This recognition aims to highlight the long and successful international career of the artist from Donostia. The award itself will be a unique work of art: a sculpture created specifically for this edition by ceramist Leire Garcia-Fanguito, winner of the Blas Arratibel craft competition.

The fifth edition of the festival will take place from April 13 to 23 in Zabalgana, under the motto “Irakurmindu zaitez” (Get hooked on reading). In addition to honoring Odriozola, the entire program will focus on fostering a “love for books,” promoting reading, and bringing creators from both within and outside the city to the neighborhood. Sonia Diaz de Corcuera, the Councilor for Culture, emphasized that this initiative plays a crucial role in supporting the book sector and strengthening cultural participation.

The councilor also highlighted the neighborhood's involvement in organizing the program. Schools, the local institute, and the Zabaliburu collective have collaborated to arrange reading marathons, poetry whisperers, and exhibitions. Furthermore, writer Karmele Jaio and artist Helena Azkarraugarizar will also participate, with the latter designing the festival's image and offering an illustration workshop.

One of the festival's main events will be a book fair held on April 18 outside the community center. Throughout the morning, five bookstores and various publishing houses will showcase their products, and for the first time, there will be a special section dedicated to self-published works.