“Reading is very important. The book cannot pay the bill for the Covid-19 pandemic”, said the Head of State as he toured the more than 100 exhibitors at the event.

During a long visit, largely due to the autographs and selfies that people were asking for, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated several times that he could have “easily lost his mind at the fair”, given his love for reading, but added that luckily he didn’t.

He added that he was pleased to see “many people” at the event, which was held in the gardens of the Crystal Palace, and “more people” buying books.

The Porto Book Fair is now in its eight edition and is organised by the City Council, at the Palácio de Cristal Gardens, dedicated to the writer Júlio Dinis with the motto of “Herborizar”.

With 124 pavilions, the Porto Book Fair runs until 12 September.

The fair's programme includes multiple conversations, “duets” between poets, concerts, cinema, animation and various activities for children.

To access the Porto Book Fair, it is necessary to wear a mask, and it is recommended to keep a safe social distance. The fair has a maximum limit of one thousand people simultaneously in the enclosure.

In 2020, the Porto Book Fair, which took place in a pandemic context and with limited entries, received around 100,000 visitors, with the participation of 120 pavilions and 80 entities.