In a statement released, the Portuguese Association of Publishers and Booksellers (APEL), which organises the Lisbon Book Fair (FLL) in partnership with the Lisbon City Council (CML), reveals that the 350 pavilions and approximately 900 publishing imprints will be maintained, in a model that prioritises the fluidity of the route within the venue.

This 96th edition of the FLL will feature 5 new participants, bringing the total to 128 confirmed, representing the various imprints.

Scheduled events

According to APEL, more than 2,200 events are already scheduled, with more to be added throughout the fair, including autograph sessions, book presentations, debates, family activities, and meetings with national and international authors.

"The growing presence of foreign writers reinforces the global dimension of the Lisbon Book Fair as a benchmark event in the publishing sector," says the organisation, emphasising that the goal is to strengthen the event as "the largest cultural event in the country" and improve visitor comfort.

"We want the Fair to continue to establish itself not only for its size, but above all for the quality of the experience it provides. This reorganisation of the space was designed to make the route more logical, comfortable, and intuitive, bringing readers even closer to books, authors, and the city itself," said the president of APEL, Miguel Pauseiro.

New features of this edition

One of the main new features of this edition is the introduction of Saturday night movie screenings, in partnership with Cine Society, in an initiative called "Cine Sábado" (Saturday Cinema), which will take place on the central lawn, with screenings of films such as "Dead Poets Society," "Jurassic Park," and "Pride and Prejudice."

In addition to these screenings, there are also silent reading experiences, including "silent reading parties" that take place daily with headphones and literary curation by Tale House.

This "international trend of silent public reading that transforms reading into a simultaneously individual and collective experience" invites visitors to "read and relax" as they listen to different sequences of literary works.

"Conceived as an immersive and inclusive experience, this initiative may also represent an alternative for people with specific needs, offering a differentiated way of accessing reading," highlights APEL.

Music on Fridays

Music continues on Friday nights with the "Fridays There's Music" cycle, featuring performances by Éme, Emmy Curl, and Gabriel Gomes, while children's and family programming remains a highlight, with the return of "Camping with Stories" at the Estufa Fria, aimed at children between 8 and 10 years old.

Emphasis on sustainability

Sustainability also takes centre stage with the continuation of the "Let's Plant Books" initiative, which this year foresees a 25% increase compared to the previous edition, with an estimated 8,750 trees planted in 2026.

Space for Small Publishers

Among the new features, the renovation of the Space for Small Publishers stands out, receiving investment for four years, reflecting "APEL's commitment to editorial diversity and to valuing projects that seek to establish themselves in the publishing market."

According to APEL, this space has been reinforced by its importance in promoting editorial diversity and supporting new projects, having functioned over the years "as a gateway for many publishers," who now occupy larger spaces at the Fair.

"By renovating this space, APEL seeks to create better conditions for visibility, comfort, and participation, recognising that the vitality of the book sector also depends on the ability to welcome new voices, new catalogues, and new ways of publishing," it reinforces.

Institutional plan

In the institutional plan, this year's edition marks the start of a three-year partnership with a health group to manage the on-site medical post.

The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, highlighted the strengthening of the partnership with APEL and the renewal of the protocol for another 3 years, emphasising the fair's importance as a benchmark cultural event in the city.

Over the 19 days of the event, the venue will span seven squares and include improvements in mobility, accessibility, and services, including initiatives such as nationwide book deliveries, sustainable mobility partnerships, and better conditions for visitors with specific needs.