A 69th edition of Porto Alegre Book Fair It was officially inaugurated on the night of Friday the 27th, with the traditional ringing of the bell. The event, which takes place at Praça da Alfândega, was attended by Mayor Sebastião Melo, the municipal secretary of Culture, Henry Ventura, the deputy secretary of State Culture, Gabriella Meindrad, the president of the Rio-Grandense Book Chamber, Maximiliano Ledur, in addition to the patron Tabajara Ruas.
This year, the Book Fair has the theme “Whoever reads knows the way”, and will be open to the public until November 15th. The event will run from 10am to 8pm and will feature a diverse program that includes 650 autograph sessions. The organization expects to receive an audience of 1.5 million people during the 20 days of the event.
Mayor Sebastião Melo highlighted the importance of the Book Fair as a space for readers and booksellers. “Our Customs Square transforms, at this time of year, into a book square. Reading has the ability to open people up to the world, and the Book Fair is a moment in which we embark on a journey of great innovation and knowledge exchange,” he said.
The Secretary of Culture, Henry Ventura, highlighted the resilience and optimism with the future of the book. “All difficulties were overcome for this event, with the union of the Public Power and civil society. Now, we are opening the fair,” he said.
The fair structure has 110 book sales stalls, publishers and institutions. In addition to the autograph sessions, there will be lectures, meetings and workshops for the general public, students and teachers. The City Hall stand will be 25 square meters and will be located in front of the autograph pavilion. The program includes literary activities, lectures on the environment, conversations about child labor, guidance on health and sustainability, cosplay workshops and an animal adoption fair.
>>> Check the program 69th Porto Alegre Book Fair
