The weekend and Porto Book Fair: It's all coming together

Books, lots of books, talks, debates, abundant word, radio, cinema, concerts, workshops and performances are all good things memorable moments are made of, and this year's Porto Book Fair, even though it is a different edition, it is still one that brings freshness and celebrates books as ever. Give yourself that it moment in the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal, following all the pandemic preventive measures and enjoy the weekend at the Fair! 

Everyone must agree that the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal are the idyllic setting in which to enjoy all things culture, be it books, concerts, talks or simply drifting by the book stalls and publishing houses represented in the enclosure.

This year, the Book Fair extends to the beautiful Casa do Roseiral, the official residence of the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira. The house patio is stage to the "Concertos de Bolso", programmed by Maus Hábitos. The goal is to bring together several generations of music to the sound of the city's music scene.

Some of the headliners are Baleia, Baleia, Baleia, Angélica Salvi or Peixe, who go on stage every day.

The Book Fair main focus this year, especially, was to diversify spaces and to present simultaneous activities, "to boost commercial activity, as well, given that it has been hit hard amid the ongoing health crisis", as emphasized by Rui Moreira, during the official presentation of the event at Casa do Roseiral.

There are 119 stalls, representing 80 entities, from booksellers, publishing houses, used bookstores, distributors and both public and private entities. All Covid-19 control measures are in place, namely the provision of hand sanitizer and disinfectant, and Porto Firefighters will ensure frequent special cleanliness of the enclosure.

The programme is coordinated by Nuno Faria, director of the Museu da Cidade, and assisted by a vast programming staff, including João Gesta, of the Quintas de Leitura.

Super Bock Arena - Pavilhão Rosa Mota hosts a special edition of the poetry cycle "Noutros programas de encontro e poesia" (aka "Other Meeting Programmes and Poetry", free translation), and give voice to 30 women poets, "glittering and unsubmissive", expression borrowed from Filipa Leal, "Senhor, Enche o Meu Quarto de Alto Mar", which is the theme of the session.

Guilherme Blanc, Contemporary Art and Cinema Diretor of Ágora, developed the cinema cycle, inspired by an anthology of the work by Lynn Hershman, which will be presented at the auditorium at the Almeida Garrett Library.

Over five sessions, audiences (limited to the space predefined to each room) will get to know the work of the artists who anticipated visualties and concepts that are part of the current artistic practices.

Curators Anabela Mota Ribeiro and José Eduardo Agualusa bring back the Lessons and Debates programme, namely on heroines as Bovary or Karenina, and guests Gonçalo M. Tavares, Richard Zimler or Sobrinho Simões, for lessons and debates respectively.

Other highlights of this year Porto Book Fair include the Porta-Jazz ao relento concerts, the Ecos da Biblioteca Sonora, radio with live transmissions, two in-house poets, youth activities and a closing concert by Mário Laginha and Pedro Burmester.

See here for information on authors, opening hours and all the general information.