The event will be the biggest to discuss the future of books in Portugal and in Europe. Conceived as a three-chapter journey that bridges the gap between the here and now of books and its future, it has assembled a compelling list of national and international speakers to put the sector’s main challenges at the center of the debate, while pointing out ways to overcome them. In the scope of this collaboration Karine Pansa, President of IPA, and Michiel Kolman, Chair of Inclusive Publishing and Literacy at IPA will join the debates in Lisbon, Portugal, enriching the conversations with a broader perspective of the publishing industry in the international fora, and promoting freedom to publish, a fundamental aspect of the human right to freedom of expression.
The event will take place at the National Coach Museum – Royal Riding Hall, alongside with the Belém Book Fair promoted by the President of the Portuguese Republic from August 31st to September 3rd.
Announcing the event in June Pedro Sobral, President of APEL, said “More than an event about books, Book 2.0 is an invitation to explore together the future of books and education and discuss solutions to the challenges ahead. The goal of APEL, as an organizing entity, is to promote reading and boost literacy, side by side with the evolution and consequent social transformations, keeping a close eye on the new digital requirements, inclusion and sustainability – fundamental to the prosperity of the sector.”
IPA President, Karine Pansa said: I’m really looking forward to discussing the future of reading at Book 2.0. So many of the topics being discussed are part of the IPA’s work – how can we improve literacy rates and transmit the joy of reading, how can we be more inclusive. What can we do through what we publish and how we conduct ourselves as businesses to make an impact on sustainability.
The Portuguese Association of Publishers and Booksellers (APEL) is a nonprofit association established in 1975 and recognized as a legal entity of public utility since 1995. It is comprised of individuals engaged in the activities of publishing, bookselling, antiquarian book dealing, distribution, resale, or export of books, as well as being a collective management organization for the copyright of these same operators. APEL organizes the Book Fair, which annually brings together thousands of visitors in the capital city. This event has made its mark since 1930 and continues to be one of the country’s main cultural events. The latest and 93rd edition in 2023 welcomed a total of 894,000 visitors, the highest number recorded to date.
More information at https://www.apel.pt/ and https://book.apel.pt/en/