The Portuguese Association of Publishers and Booksellers (APEL) and the Lisbon City Council (CML) have presented the 95th Lisbon Book Fair, a “consolidation” edition of the previous one, as the event reached the “physical space limit”, said the president of APEL, Miguel Pauseiro.

“We have the number of pavilions that we consider adequate for the space available, which brings with it the additional responsibility of maintaining some novelty,” he said, emphasizing that he wants a “differentiating fair that confirms it as the most beautiful in the world,” as its visitors classify it.

The president of APEL added that he “expects to surpass last year” in the number of cultural initiatives, with more than 3,000 events planned, of which 1,200 involve the presence of authors.

One of the big new features this year is the sustainable project “Let’s plant books”, in partnership with The Navigator Company, which associates the sale of books with the planting of trees.

“For every 100 books sold, a tree will be planted. We estimate that we will sell between 700,000 and 800,000 books, which gives an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 new trees in our country,” he specified.

This year, there will be 133 participants, a number “slightly lower than the previous year, which will represent around 960 seals and more than 85 thousand titles”, although these numbers have not yet been finalized, added Miguel Pauseiro.

A new square will be opened – Praça Verde – and, in terms of accessibility, there will be more portable and wheelchair ramps, provided by Santa Casa da Misericórdia, for people with reduced mobility.

Events with Portuguese sign language and the existence of a color alphabet for color-blind people, which, among other things, helps people find their way around squares, which are defined by colors, are also back in this edition.

The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, highlighted that “investment in the fair is increasingly important” and revealed that this year he increased financial support to 135 thousand euros (15 thousand more than the investment of 120 thousand last year), in addition to logistical support.

The 2025 edition reinforces the model launched in 2024, which prioritizes the quality of the visitor experience, offering a more fluid route and seven squares (including the new Praça Verde), according to the organizers.

Over the 19 days, there will be space for a variety of events, from autograph sessions to debates, including book presentations and shows on Friday, with “intimate” performances, namely by Teresa Salgueiro.