By Victoria Valverde
Outdoors, families, young people, children, couples, booksellers, publishers and many, many books. Everyone was present at the first edition of A Feira do Livro , which took place from the 8th to the 12th of June, at Praça Charles Miller, in front of the Pacaembu stadium, in São Paulo.
With hundreds of visitors, exhibitions, workshops, debates, autograph sessions, presentations and the participation of more than 120 publishers and bookstores, the fair, with free entry, was a success and has already secured a place of notoriety in the calendar of literary events in the Brazil.
Books occupy Praça Charles Miller next to the Pacaembu Stadium.
Photo: Lia Lubambo
The Book Fair, organized by editor Paulo Werneck and architect Álvaro Razuk, is organized by Associação Quatro Cinco Um in partnership with Maré Produções Culturais. Big international names participated in the program: Angolan writer Yara Nakahanda, Spanish writer María Duenãs, Mozambican Mia Couto and Frenchman Bill François.
Among the Brazilian writers present were: Drauzio Varella, Ailton Krenak, Djamila Ribeiro, Carla Madeira, Jeferson Tenório, Letrux and Preta Ferreira.
After 3 years without literary fairs due to the pandemic, the event represents hope for the Brazilian publishing market and reiterates the transformation that comes from occupying public spaces with books and culture.
Solisluna at the Book Fair
Solisluna Editora participated in the event at stand number 21 at the fair: “Here's an illustrated book”. Bahian and the only publisher from the Northeast, Solisluna showed the strength that the stories of this region carry and the need for greater diversity in the literary environment.
“Being an independent publisher is, at the same time, difficult and stimulating, as it allows freedom to deal with more delicate, difficult and, at times, controversial topics. Participation in the fair is essential. Having direct feedback from the public, made up of readers and trainers, is very important. Producing and promoting our work is a joy”, says Kin Guerra, representative of Solisluna, present every day of the fair.
Literary partnership
Stand number 21, the only children's literature tent at the fair, was made up of 9 independent publishers with production focused on high-quality illustrated books for children aged 0 to 100: Ôzé, Quatro Cantos, Jujuba, Cai-Cai, Caixote, Livros da Matriz, Pulo do Gato, Amelì and Solisluna.
The space was one of the most charming and colorful at the fair. He praised the work of these independent publishers, with production focused on high-quality illustrated books for children aged 0 to 100. Many of the titles on display have been awarded awards and have international recognition.
Being together during the 5 days of the fair further strengthened the ties between the publishers and highlighted the importance of promoting books and reading in the education of children and young people.
Photos: Kin Guerra
