His contribution to the world of reading and literature was significant.
News Colombia.
On Monday, July 22, the sad news of the death of Felipe Ossa, who was for more than 50 years a central figure in the world of books in Colombia, was known. Ossa, known as ‘the great bookseller’ or ‘the dean of Colombian booksellers’, left an indelible legacy at the Librería Nacional, where he served as general manager until his final days.
Felipe Ossa began his career at the National Bookstore as a warehouse assistant and bookseller at the age of 18, and dedicated his entire life to the institution, which today has nearly 30 branches throughout the country and a robust digital sales channel.
His contribution to the world of reading and literature was significant, becoming a fundamental pillar for the expansion and consolidation of the bookstore.
Former President Iván Duque shared the news of his death through his X account, expressing his deep sorrow. Duque, who maintained a close friendship with Ossa, remembered him as a great intellectual and lover of culture, highlighting his human qualities and his impact on the literary community.
I am saddened to hear of the death of my great friend Felipe Ossa. He was a great intellectual, bookseller, lover of culture and for years the general manager of the National Bookstore. I shared his friendship with my father and spending time with Felipe was always an adventure of knowledge and… pic.twitter.com/oMHUwHxBxm
— Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) July 22, 2024
The origins of Felipe Ossa
Ossa, originally from Bogotá and raised in Buga, Valle, began to love books from an early age, influenced by comics and cartoons.
Although he studied drawing with the hope of becoming an illustrator, he eventually followed his father’s path and became a bookseller. His passion for books was reflected in his literary work, which includes titles such as ‘The World of Comics’, ‘Comics and Their History’, and ‘Reading to Live’.
Throughout his career, Ossa also served on the editorial board of Click, a Colombian comics magazine, and survived historic events such as April 9, 1948, when his family had to sell their bookstore to escape the chaos in Bogotá.
Felipe Ossa’s legacy goes beyond his work at the National Bookstore.
His love of books and his dedication to promoting reading left a lasting mark on Colombian culture. His history, together with that of the National Bookstore, is a testament to his impact on the country’s literary life.
Felipe Ossa will be remembered not only for his role in the bookstore, but also for his passion for books and his contribution to the cultural enrichment of Colombia.
His death marks the end of an era in the history of the National Bookstore and leaves a deep void in the world of literature in Colombia.
#Colombia | The legacy of Felipe Ossa, the ‘Dean of Books’, who worked for five decades at the National Bookstore.
The director of Noticias Caracol, Juan Roberto Vargas, previously interviewed him about his noble task.
More in https://t.co/yqNEZK7ZOB pic.twitter.com/wgJ6hDC884
— Caracol News (@NoticiasCaracol) July 23, 2024
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