Porto Book Fair is back this month of August with strict COVID-19 prevention measures

The most relevant literary event in Porto returns to the city this August, earlier than usual, as Porto Book Fair traditionally kicks off in September. The event opens doors on 28th August and runs till 13th September. This is the 7th edition organised by Porto City Hall. 

This significant literary event celebrates books and reading, offering visitors joy (as simple), whilst boosting publishers screen space to showcase both their frontlist and backlist.

The Fair at the Invicta is returning for its seventh year, a bit earlier than in previous years, under the theme "Alegria para o fim do Mundo" ["Joy to the End of the World", free translation], transliterated from the work by Andreia C. Faria.

The cultural programming of the Fair, coordinated by Nuno Faria, will put on manifold events with reputed authors that will discuss writing and freedom from a literary angle.

This year, amid the pandemic, Porto Book Fair 7th edition readjusted and features several novelties; so, for the first time, the physical space extends to Casa do Roseiral, with concerts by the sunset, and with Super Bock Arena - Pavilhão Rosa Mota hosting a Cycle of Debates and a special session by Quintas de Leitura.

This edition is about literature written by women and thus the tribute is to poet from Porto (and the world) Leonor de Almeida, who remains somewhat a mystery to the larger audience, and who will have her name inscribed in the Avenida das Tílias. The immunologist and poet, Maria de Sousa, who recently passed away due to Covid-19, will be honoured during the Fair, as well.

In addition, the Fair's cultural programming evokes the 1820 Liberal Revolution, whose celebration programme was sort of put on hold due to the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic.

Porto Book Fair provides visitors a reliable and secure way to enjoy books, as all the guidelines issued by the DGS are in place, namely the use of face masks, the mandatory use of gloves to handle books, social distancing must be observed and hand sanitisers are available all over the Fair; also, there are designated entry and exit spots to the Fair enclosure.

The space devoted to the event was extended and the Fair sits in an enclosed space, available for 3500 people simultaneously. Visitors are able to stroll the Avenida das Tílias till the Casa do Roseiral.

There will also be signposting all over the Fair to help people comply with the preventive Covid-19 measures.

Nuno Faria, director of the "Museu da Cidade" and coordinator of the event's programme stated to Porto. that "this edition was rather challenging", but added that "in essence, it is the same as previous editions".

Porto Book fair broad programming will be carried out both indoors and outdoors, throughout 15 days, with sessions taking place at the Super Bock Arena - Pavilhão Rosa Mota, at the Auditorium of the Almeida Garrett Library, for example.

To access these facilities, Nuno Faria enhances the need to previously collect the tickets to the shows, as there is limited seat availability. Tickets can be collected one and a half hour previously to the beginning of the show.

"There will be clear directness both regarding circulation areas and occupation spaces. It is very important for us that people come and that they feel safe", added Nuno Faria.

The fair features 115 stands by 80 entities, namely bookshops, publishing houses, used bookstores, distributors, and institutional presences.

"All of those who have been summoned for the Porto Book Fair have responded with enthusiasm, in the search for a slow return to normality", as stated by Nuno Faria, who ensures that "this somewhat contained celebration will certainly be a success in the sense that we reconnect with ourselves, with our reading habits and with the importance of being with each other".

As stated by Mayor Rui Moreira, in the Porto Book Fair Journal, "the reality we live in transcends fiction and takes absurd and paradox forms, but we cannot allow it to condition our ability and willingness to enjoy everything that culture offers us. Because it is culture that enables us to interpret time and its arrhythmias, and that helps us to rediscover routes and envisage opportunities that have been forgotten".

See HERE the full Porto Book Fair programming.

Timetable:

Monday to Thursday: from 12 noon to 9.30pm

Friday: from 12 noon to 11pm

Saturday: from 11am to 11pm

Sunday: from 11am to 9.30pm