The opening ceremony, held at the Carlos Gomes Theater, was attended by authorities, Unesco representatives and prominent figures of Brazilian culture, such as writers Ruy Castro and Conceição Evaristo. Artistic performances by names such as Fernanda Abreu, Toni Garrido, Gregório Duvivier and Elisa Lucinda, inspired by works of national literature, set the tone for the celebration, reaffirming the richness, creativity and diversity of our literary production.
At the ceremony, Dante Cid, President of SNEL said “The opening of Rio World Book Capital marks a new chapter for Brazil – a chapter that celebrates the book as a bridge, as a seed and as a meeting. At SNEL, we reaffirm our commitment to a plural, accessible and lively publishing industry. Our work begins when a book meets a reader, anywhere: at school, on the street, in the library or in the heart of a new idea. May this year be of fertile encounters, transformative readings and words that lead us to a fairer, more critical and more sensitive society,”
In a post to mark the occasion Hubert Alquéres (curator of the Jabuti Award and president of the Paulista Academy of Education), and Sevani Matos (president of the Brazilian Book Chamber) stated:
“The former capital of the country also stands out for the vigor of its popular and community libraries, spread over several regions of the city. These spaces play an essential role in the democratization of access to books, promoting cultural activities, meetings with authors and reading mediation actions that contribute to the formation of critical and socially engaged readers. Alongside them, the classic bookstores of Rio de Janeiro – such as Argumento, Travessa and Blooks – resist with vitality, which have reinvented themselves as vibrant cultural poles, meeting points for intellectuals, artists and lovers of literature. These are places that keep the city’s literary tradition alive, reaffirming its commitment to reading and thinking.”
Read the report from IPA member SNEL here.
Read the report from IPA member CBL here.
Read about the closing events for Strasbourg World Book Capital City here.