Ja! Festival 2025

Ja! travels to New York. Or vice versa. Welcome, in any case, New Yorkers by birth or by devotion, inhabitants of sophisticated Manhattan that breathes in the centuries-old pages of The New Yorker and explodes in the hilarious sketches of the fifty-year-old Saturday Night Live. Unique detectives from Brooklyn, glamorous dancers from Studio 54, insects whispering stories in a dystopian New York Public Library: we are all part of that same territory, the capital of the world, which vibrates between reality and myth.

In a year marked by the anniversaries of some of its great icons, we dedicate this edition to the Big Apple. We are visited by Jonathan Lethem, who will review his literary and personal career with his sister Mara Faye Lethem; Peter Kuper, master of comics and graphic chronicler with the soul of an entomologist; and Kirmen Uribe, who returns home to share the life and creative journey that binds him to New York. Three authors who, together with Samanta Schweblin —whose disturbingly funny stories illuminate a new genre— are part of the history of The New Yorker, the magazine that a hundred years ago entrusted its personality to a dandy with a monocle.

Enric González and Virginia Feito open the festival with a talk that embodies the New York State of Mind spirit that runs through the programme. We also explore Christina Rosenvinge‘s artistic journey, combining music, words and memory. Together with them, Nacho Vigalondo, Antonio Castelo, Alberto Olmos, Juan Soto Ivars, Paula Ortiz and the rest of the guests explore various aspects of contemporary humour, literature, cinema and journalism.

The pulse of New York is also reflected in the exhibitions. Particularly the exhibition dedicated to Saul Steinberg, artist of line and playful wit and author of so many memorable covers for The New Yorker. On our stroll through the city that never sleeps, the days are devoted to art and the nights to fun: from the show ‘El Sentido de la Birra Live’ to the Studio 54 party led by Joaquín Reyes. In addition, activities aimed at young audiences, comic and comedy workshops for all ages… 

We look forward to seeing you accompanied by King Kong, the cute pet we have adopted for the occasion. Happy Ja! 

Carolina Ontivero
Director of Ja! Festival

PROGRAMME

The programme for the 16th edition of the festival will be held between 9 and 20 October at different venues. 

For detailed information on all events, including participants, venues, schedules, access, etc., please click on the link. 

EXHIBITION

The exhibition Saul Steinberg, el signo errante (Saul Steinberg, the wandering line) will be on display from 2 to 31 October in the Axular room at Bizkaia Aretoa – EHU (Abandoibarra, 3 – Bilbao). Javier Jaén x The New Yorker will be shown at various Bilbao Metro stations from 1 October until the end of 2025.

STREAMING

There is nothing like experiencing the talks live, but if you are unable to join us, many will also be available online.

Only those that include performances or screenings will not be streamed. Click here and follow us on streaming.