Promoted by APEL – the Portuguese Publishers and Booksellers Association, BOOK 2.0 is a strategic initiative aimed at fostering Portugal’s cultural and educational development. The event brings together national and international experts, authors, educators, researchers, policymakers, and opinion leaders for a pluralistic and cross-sectoral debate.
BOOK 2.0 aims to be a meeting ground for diverse perspectives — open to both the book industry and the general public — in a dynamic, accessible and inspiring environment. With activities designed for all audiences, the event reinforces its commitment to bringing books closer to society and to sparking new ways of thinking and accessing knowledge. The programme features talks by national and international voices, live performances and inspiring moments that celebrate culture and the transformative power of books.
Rooted in the pillars of knowledge and literacy, BOOK 2.0 2025 explores how books, technology and human thought intersect to shape a more informed, critical and conscious society. At the heart of the event is the belief that books are essential tools for accessing knowledge and unlocking human potential, placing reading and education at the centre of our shared future.
BOOK 2.0 returns for the third consecutive year with the presentation of the study “Purchasing and Reading Habits in Portugal” — a current and in-depth portrait of Portuguese reading behaviours and the evolution of the national book market, aimed at supporting strategic planning within the sector. In 2024, seven in ten Portuguese (73%) reported having reading habits, with an average of 5.6 books read per person per year. First launched in 2023, the study already revealed promising trends: 65% of respondents said they had purchased books, with an average of 7.9 books read per reader. Despite this progress, the data confirms that a significant portion of the population still does not read regularly.
The 2025 edition will allow for continued monitoring of these developments and the identification of new trends with potential impact on education, libraries, the publishing market and public literacy policies.
This is an issue that invites critical thinking, imagination and dialogue — a moment to reflect on what transforms us and how we can collectively rethink the future of reading. We believe that this future must be built through inclusive participation, in a shared effort to debate and reinvent the role of reading and books in our lives and in society.
Registration for BOOK 2.0 is now open — sign up at book.apel.pt .
The full programme and list of speakers will be announced soon.