Over six days, the first edition of BABELL aims to transform the city into ‘a vibrant literary ecosystem’, with a range of events taking place across streets, squares and both public and private spaces. In addition to symposiums and discussions centred on books, the programme includes concerts, exhibitions, performances, history lessons, films and activities for children.

Byung-Chul Han, Olga Tokarczuk, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Héctor Abad Faciolince are among the international writers invited. On the national scene, highlights include Lídia Jorge, Gonçalo M. Tavares, João de Melo, Bruno Vieira Amaral, Filipa Martins and Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida.

The performance by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, taking place in Ribeira on the 27th at 8.15 pm, with free entry, is one of the highlights of the programme. Before that, on the 25th at 9.30 pm, the public can enjoy a concert by GNR and Pedro Abrunhosa in Aliados.

Anyone wishing to attend the event must purchase a book from one of the more than 50 bookshops participating in the project and will then receive a voucher allowing them to reserve a place on the event’s official website. This is an initiative of the Livraria Lello Foundation in collaboration with Porto City Council. The full programme is available here.