Book Fair pavilions take shape in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal

With only a few days left until the start of the 11th edition of the Porto Book Fair, the hustle and bustle of setting up the pavilions is evident on Avenida das Tílias in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal. Over the course of 17 days, what will be the 'home' to hundreds of booksellers, antiquarians, publishers, distributors, and public and private entities is taking shape to host a robust and diverse cultural programme.

From 23 August to 8 September, the gardens of Palácio de Cristal will once again host the Book Fair and, with just a few days left before the start of the literary festival, everything is (almost) ready for another edition. The 130 pavilions, which visitors can start exploring from Friday, are being finalised to ensure that buying and selling books proceeds as smoothly as possible.

Outside the stands, there is also a cultural programme designed to bring the city and literature closer together. The schedule includes 16 talks, 15 special poetry and humour sessions, four film screenings, 21 concerts, seven book presentations, and more than 50 activities for babies, children, and families. In total, more than 100 activities will fill the different spaces of the gardens of Palácio de Cristal.

Highlights

Under the theme 'Por mais solar que seja o coração' (As sunny as the heart may be), the Porto Book Fair 2024 will pay tribute to the poet Eugénio de Andrade at different times.

On the first day of the Book Fair, 23 August, the public opening will take place at 12 noon, but one of the highlights of the event will only take place later: the opening of the exhibition 'Post Scriptum Sobre a Alegria' at the Almeida Garrett Municipal Library (Graphic Office).

This is followed, on 24 August, at 3 p.m., by the traditional Tília de Homenagem Award Ceremony, when Eugénio de Andrade will join other great names in Portuguese literature who 'reside' in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal. The tribute to the poet will continue at 4 p.m. with the talk 'Arco e Flecha: Temas de Eugénio Hoje'.

On the opening day, Gisela João will inaugurate the cycle 'É a Música, Este Romper do Escuro' with a concert that will fill the Acoustic Shell at 7 p.m.. On Saturday, it's Tiago Nacarato's turn to continue the cycle which, always in the same place and at the same time, will also feature artists such as EU.Clides, Milhanas, or Poetry Ensemble, among others.