Rio Book Biennial brings 27 foreign authors.
The 16th edition of the Rio de Janeiro International Book Biennial, which will open on the 29th at Riocentro in Jacarepaguá, in the western part of the city, has a record number of foreign authors: 27 out of a total of 100 participating writers.
Alana Gandra
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro - The 16th edition of the Rio de Janeiro International Book Biennial, which opens on the 29th at Riocentro in Jacarepaguá, in the city's west zone, has a record number of foreign authors: 27 out of a total of 100 participating writers. With 950 exhibitors, the expectation is to receive 600 visitors until September 8th. This year, the honored country will be Germany, as part of the Year of Germany in Brazil program. Works by 11 authors from that country will be available.
The president of the National Union of Book Publishers (Snel), Sonia Jardim, said that this edition will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the biennial "with great joy, because the event is renewed, expanded and diversified." Snel is one of the organizers of the biennial, along with Fagga Eventos. She highlighted that the biennial reflects national publishing production.
“The event allows the reader, in a single environment spanning 55 square meters, to visualize Brazilian publishing, which today is in no way inferior to that of any country abroad. Our books have a high standard of quality and presentation. It is an industry that is now on another level.”
The biennial has many attractions aimed at children and young people, with the goal of presenting books as a "fun activity" and showing that reading is not an individual pursuit. Books can be a source of exchange and conversation among children and teenagers, and a way to integrate them into a group. 170 children are registered for school visits.
The president of Snel (National Union of Book Publishers) said that sales of children's and young adult literature in Brazil are already higher than those of publications for adults. She believes this is a post-Harry Potter phenomenon, referring to the book series by British author J.K. Rowling. "The kids discovered that reading is cool, it's a good activity, it's not that old thing..."nerd (A person very dedicated to their studies), a simpleton who used to be excluded at school."
Although children and young people are increasingly focused on the internet and modern technologies, Sonia explained that the market has been trying to keep up with this process, seeking books or themes that are of interest to them. "We have seen considerable success in the market with books that originate from..." games "From the computer. Or the opposite. It's what they call convergence between different media," she explained. The market, according to her, is looking for where the reader is.
This year will also see the debut of the Business Fair to meet a demand from the Brazilian publishing market. The space follows the trend seen in international book fairs and will bring together literary agents and book professionals from various parts of the world. The sector points to the complex tax system in place in the country as an obstacle to the greater development of companies.
"If we had a simplification of these tax issues, it would end up having a positive impact on the company's own operation." According to Sonia, high taxation reduces the competitiveness of the Brazilian publishing sector in the face of the foreign market.