Ja! Festival 2026 to explore science fiction and humor in Bilbao

The XVII edition of the Ja! Festival, an international festival of literature and art with humor, will take place in Bilbao from October 14 to 31, 2026. This edition focuses on themes of the future, science fiction, and humor, using speculative imagination as a tool to interpret the present through critical thinking.

The program features a diverse range of disciplines including science, music, cinema, and comics. Notable participants include writers Rosa Montero, Michel Houellebecq, Ray Loriga, and Mariana Enríquez, as well as artists and creators such as Maribel Verdú and Rodrigo Cortés. Rosa Montero is scheduled to open the festival on October 14 in conversation with scientist Carlos Briones to discuss the links between science, literature, and imagination.