Book 2.0 is the brainchild of the Portuguese Publishing and Booksellers Association (APEL) and looks to bring in an international perspective into the discussion. The first edition launched in 2023 featured a keynote by IPA President Karine Pansa who helped to highlight the pillars of IPA’s work that touch on literacy and freedom to publish.

Book 2.0 recently wrapped up its second edition in Lisbon, again supported by the IPA, and we sat down with APEL President Pedro Sobral to understand BOOK 2.0 as generating a focus on reading and literacy and its impact so far in Portugal.

Why was there a need for a platform like Book 2.0 within Portugal?

Over the past decades, Portugal has undergone significant transformations in education and the promotion of reading. While there have been highlights, we still see significant challenges, namely the inequality in access to education and reading that still persists, especially in more vulnerable communities. We also see new challenges such as the promotion of digital literacy, which is essential given the increasing importance of technology in our societies and the opportunities that arise from it.

APEL and its members wanted to take responsibility for promoting the discussion around the challenges and opportunities facing books and literacy in Portugal. We know there is a long road ahead, but Book 2.0 provides a platform for a fruitful and necessary debate.

Are people in Portugal buying and reading books?

One of the most significant moments of the first day of Book 2.0 was the presentation of the study “Book Market: Buying and Reading Habits in Portugal”, developed by Nielsen/GFK for APEL. This study revealed that the Portuguese publishing market experienced significant growth of around 7% in 2023. According to the study, the percentage of Portuguese people who bought books increased to 65% in 2023 (vs. 62% in 2022), but the most noteworthy change was in the profile of buyers: the 25-34 age group became the top purchasers (76%), and the 15-24 age group was the one that reported buying more books than in 2022, with 41%.

How do these changing reading habits impact the publishing sector and literacy overall?

It shows the importance of younger people in Portugal that certainly gives publishers hope for the future. But in these troubling times, the sector must also focus on the needs of the people. Undoubtedly, reading, literacy, and digitalization are key to influencing the next generation to resist manipulation and develop strong critical thinking. But change takes time. We are encouraged by the general trend of a growing market, and a generation that is encouraged to read. But there is always more we can do. Incentives, such as the recently launched culture vouchers, encourages younger people to buy and read books. These tools can really help our market.

What do you hope the legacy of Book 2.0 will be for the Portuguese publishing industry and beyond?

My hopes for Book 2.0 are to ensure that publishers remain forward-looking. In Portugal, we hope this platform will not only serve as a blueprint for modernizing the publishing industry but also as a catalyst for innovation and future proofing across the entire literary and educational ecosystem. We want Book 2.0 to leave an enduring impact by encouraging collaboration and dialogue between publishers, authors, educators, the public and tech innovators, ensuring that the Portuguese book market evolves while preserving its rich literary heritage.

Check out all Book 2.0 2024 sessions that are available on the YouTube and Spotify channels.