The ninth edition of the Book Festival in Belém takes place from September 17 to 20 in the gardens of Belém Palace in Lisbon, maintaining the cultural tradition started in 2016 during the first term of former President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The organization is done jointly with the Portuguese Association of Publishers and Booksellers (APEL), and the eight previous editions received approximately 170,000 visitors in total.
The opening session includes a tribute concert to writer António Lobo Antunes, who passed away in March, with performances by Kátia Guerreiro and Vitorino Salomé. Over four days, the event offers book presentations, debates and sessions with nearly 400 writers, as well as musical performances on the various stages in the gardens, including the groups ÁTOA and NAPA.
The program includes debates on literature, history and society, with the participation of figures such as Manuel Alegre presenting the translation of Ovid and historian António Araújo launching the work "Sidónio Pais, The King-President." The closing on Sunday the 20th includes a tribute to Álvaro Cassuto by the Orquestra Sem Fronteiras and the concert "Últimas Danças de Verão" (Last Summer Dances) by the band GNR.
This year's edition has support from Lisbon Libraries for a children's space, a partnership with Sociedade Ponto Verde for the environmental aspect, and inclusion initiatives from Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, including accessible routes and interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language.
