Launch of Throwing the Library Out the Window 2026

In a world that constantly asks us to move faster, to produce more, and to respond without pause, taking a moment to slow down can be both meaningful and necessary.

And today, space is made for that pause.

In recognition of International Book Day, ConTextos marks the launch of the sixth edition of Throwing the Library Out the Window (Tiramos la Biblio por La Ventana), an initiative that, year after year, reminds us of something deeply human: that reading is not only an individual act, but a shared experience that connects us, supports us, and brings us back to what matters most.

Our schools take out their books and share stories in parks

Early in my childhood in Argentina, I came to understand that books—and the stories within them—carry weight and value. That words matter, and that the act of reading can shape how we see, understand, and move through the world.

This year, once again, libraries are stepping beyond their traditional spaces to meet communities where they are. Streets, plazas, parks, schools, theaters, and museums become spaces where stories circulate, voices are present, and people can gather without rush and without pressure.

In times when many people are navigating stress, uncertainty, and disconnection, creating spaces for safe and meaningful connection matters. It is an intentional choice. It is a way of strengthening the social fabric. It is a reminder that no one is alone.

From a trauma-informed and healing-centered perspective, processes of connection take time. They are invited, supported, and sustained with care. Reading in community opens precisely that possibility—allowing people to approach their own stories and those of others with curiosity, respect, and, often, a renewed sense of understanding.

Over the years, these spaces have shown their capacity to strengthen trust, expression, and connection among individuals and communities. Reading together does more than promote a culture of reading. It strengthens community. It expands how the world is seen. And perhaps most importantly, it creates the conditions for dialogue.

Deeply rooted in El Salvador, this work is part of a broader effort through ConTextos Global to sustain spaces for reading, writing, and dialogue across diverse contexts, while maintaining a strong connection between the local and the collective.

Throwing the Library Out the Window, in this sense, is much more than an event. It is a collective practice of coming together. A reminder that stories are not meant to remain contained, but to move, to reach us, and to open new pathways.

Today, space is made for a pause.
And in that pause, to find one another again.

Communities, educational institutions, partner organizations, and the general public are invited to take part in Throwing the Library Out the Window 2026. Programming will take place across El Salvador between April 17 and May 2, with open, community-based events designed to bring reading into everyday life and strengthen collective connection.

The full schedule is available to explore, with opportunities to participate in activities and support the visibility of this initiative through networks and communities.

There is also openness to new partnerships that wish to join this collective effort.

Deep appreciation goes to our partner organizations, educational institutions, and funders who make this work possible, and who continue to invest in reading, dialogue, and community-building as sustained pathways forward.

To take part in this effort is also to invest in spaces of connection, dialogue, and shared life with lasting impact.

Stories are not only told; they are held in community.

With appreciation,

Dr. Cecilia Cardesa
Global CEO, ConTextos