The Festival of Expanded Literature in Magaluf (FLEM) has announced legendary Irish author, John Boyne, as a special guest for its 2025 edition. Boyne is the author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Earth, the former having been a New York Times no. 1 Bestseller selling 11 million copies worldwide and has been adapted for a feature film, a play, a ballet and an opera.

The Festival of Expanded Literature in Magaluf or the Festival Literatura Expandida Magaluf which gives it its acronymic name 'FLEM', is a cultural festival promoted by the independent bookstore Rata Corner and INNSiDE by Meliá that aims to bring literature and culture closer to new audiences, pushing its boundaries, both geographical and conceptual. The 2024 edition of FLEM attracted over 10,000 attendees demonstrating how it has grown to become the leading literary event in the Balearic Islands.

Now in its fifth edition taking place from 2nd–5th October 2025, FLEM has announced its most international programme to date without losing the strong presence of local authors and artists. Among the first confirmed authors is John Boyne, the most internationally recognised Irish novelist, who will be presenting his new novel A Ladder to the Sky, due to be published in September. Joining him are two of the most prominent Argentine authors: Pedro Mairal, known for books like La Urguaya, returning to fiction with Los Nuevos, and Dolores Reyes, breakout author of Cometierra, whose work has been translated into over 15 languages, establishing her as one of the most important Latin American authors of recent times.

Alongside the international guests will be a host of national and local authors such as: Antònia Vicens, a key voice in Catalan literature; Megan Maxwell, the undisputed queen of romance and erotic fiction in Spain; Glòria de Castro, a Mallorca-based author who recently published Els temples solemnes; and Eva Baltasar, finalist of the International Booker Prize with Boulder. FLEM will also welcome Agustina Guerrero who is one of the most powerful voices in contemporary graphic novels with her latest work Hoy being published ahead of the event.

A Festival Like No Other

The venue for FLEM will be the INNSiDE by Meliá Calvià Beach with the hotel brand maintaining its commitment to culture by supporting the international promotion of Spanish artists and authors. In the lead up to the festival, the special guests list will continue to grow as the organisers reveal the full programme of activities such as concerts, poetry recitals, and the popular “Secret Rooms” scheduled through the four-day festival.

In addition to the outdoor stages where literary conversations, concerts, and podcasts take place, these “Secret Rooms” are one of the most hotly anticipated spots of FLEM with the rooms of the INNSiDE by Meliá Calvià Beach being transformed into the most disruptive experiences of the festival, connecting culture and literature. Past editions have seen exhibitions, art installations, poetry recitals, workshops, and brand activations, from tattoo artist studios to literary escape rooms!

Magaluf, the Home of Literature in the Balearic Islands

Often known for its nightlife, Magaluf has undergone a significant transformation in recent years through public-private collaboration to become a more family-friendly, sustainable destination. Both the Ajuntament de Calvià and private entities such as INNSiDE by Meliá and Rata Corner, are driving investment and various actions to showcase the quality of Magaluf as a tourism destination with FLEM playing a significant role in bringing visitors from overseas to discover the cultural and literary heritage of Magaluf and the Balearics as a whole.

Evidence of the reimagining of Magaluf can be seen in the brand-new seafront promenade which was unveiled to the public following a €4 million grant from the EU's NextGenerationEU Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and an additional €1 million via the Balearic Islands' Sustainable Tourism Tax. The 650-metre beachfront promenade has been fully modernised with improved public realm, native flora, low-impact dunes, footbaths, stormwater reuse systems, and energy-efficient lighting. Not just a cosmetic facelift, the new promenade is a signal of the Ajuntament de Calvià's investment and intent to evolve the destination for generations to come.

Registration

Registration to attend the festival will open in September once the full programme is announced. Flash offers will be launched on the FLEM website in the build up to the festival, allowing attendees to fully experience the event while staying at nearby INNSiDE By Meliá hotels.

Please find imagery here.