Book Biennial 2023: A complete guide

Ready for a memorable immersion? A 40th Book Biennial of Rio de Janeiro is approaching, with scheduled dates of 1 the 10 September, headquartered in the iconic Riocentro, in Barra da Tijuca.

Tickets are now available for purchase, promising an enriching dive into literature culture and entertainment. The event will have the participation of more than 300 renowned authors and personalities, in a program that will last for more than 200 hours. In addition, more than 500 exhibitors will be present, with a captivating environment of booths and activities.

We've created this well-crafted and detailed guide to make sure you get the most out of every part. The aim is to make your visit an unforgettable journey, after all, let's face it, the Book Biennial it's an experience.

What to expect this year?

The Bienal do Rio has always been ahead of its time and this year the Bienal we want to see in the next 40 years is born. An event that goes beyond selling books and is a meeting place and new experiences.

Tatiana Zaccaro, Business Director at GL events Brazil

Expectations for the 2023 edition only grow as more information is released on social networks. A Book Biennial continues to surprise with each edition, thanks to an attentive and up-to-date curatorship that seeks to keep in tune with the times. This is reflected in the guidelines and topics addressed, which range from relevant and of great importance to those that capture the attention of social networks and the entertainment scene.

performed by GL events Exhibitions and the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL), the festival of literature and culture has distinguished itself for its ability to stay connected with current trends. In addition, the increasing emphasis on attracting young people, who make up a significant proportion of visitors, is notable.

It is surprising to observe how the writers assume a true celebrity status at the event, which only proves and highlights the power and reach of contemporary literature, which many discredited in the past.

(…) We have field studies that show that more than 50% of the Brazilian population is not a regular reader of books. More than 30% of the population declares that they have never purchased a book. So imagine the significance of the country's biggest literary event in a nation in that context. Nearly half a million people attended the event. Tens of thousands of students from public and state schools attended. Having this experience of exposure to literature. This is priceless for our country. Sowing this thirst, this taste for literature is what gives us the greatest motivation to continue holding the Biennial.

Dante Cid, president of SNEL

It is customary for the Bienal to bring reflections as a central element of each edition and this time, thinking about a subject that is increasingly debated due to the advancement of technology, we will be facing a big question: “What artificial intelligence does not have – or even doesn't have – and that we humans have – or haven't lost yet? The heart!".

With the intention of covering different audiences, the new edition presents a diversified and innovative program, which stands out for its originality in relation to the previous ones.

Agenda

In addition to the numerous exhibitors spread across the pavilions, as usual, the program promises to be quite complete, offering something for all tastes. You can find everything from engaging discussions of current affairs to deep dives into fictional worlds perfect for exploring the imagination. The event will be attended by participants ranging from established authors to new and exciting voices, such as the new digital influencers of the “booktok”.

Literary Cafe

In the 2023 edition, the space comes with a different proposal. O Literary Cafe it is that kind of environment for a break, but in the meantime, take the opportunity to exchange ideas and listen to different experiences of renowned names in the arts, podcasters and opinion makers with an emphasis on literature and the current world.

In this edition, the area has some novelties such as the In First Person, where the authors will be able to interact with the public in a much more dynamic and intimate format and the Pages on Stage, an interesting attraction with artists giving readings and performances of plays adapted from books. In addition, the two Fridays of the festival will have the Sextou with Simas. Writer, teacher and composer Luiz Antonio Simas welcomes guests in a relaxed atmosphere with the right to a “bar table” for conversations in a bar atmosphere.

Plural Station

Here the objective is to create an environment dedicated to dialogues about narratives that permeate our daily life: present in literary works, screens and in all forms of media. The famous issue of fiction becoming reality is also related in this scenario.

Some news are already separated for this space. O Screen Pages comes to unite audiovisual projects with literature, in view of the many films, novels and series adapted from books.

Keyword

For those interested in a more exciting space, the Keyword it is the newest environment of the Bienal do Livro and counts on the participation of authors, thinkers and big names in literature and entertainment that aim to provide a greater and more intimate exchange with the reader. It is a space with debates and conversations about the connection between the real world and the literary universe and its creation. Genres such as humor, pop culture, romance and fantasy are featured.

In this same area, with the same proposal of the TV program Live Wheel: join the wheel integrates the news of the event, leading the writer to be interviewed by mediators in his surroundings.

Panels

Kids

One of the main goals of the Bienal continues to be to encourage reading, especially for younger people. Providing an ample and completely immersive space in the orange pavilion, areas entitled The Book is Elastic, Reading is Embracing e Reading is Meeting will be attractions that will make children connect with the world of literature. Games, movies and music with characters like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland and Monica from Monica's Gang are the main points of this space.

What's new

royal ball

What has been drawing the most attention since the announcement of the Bienal's attractions is the newest proposal for an exclusive masquerade ball, which will allow readers of period novels to have the chance to live the experience with the renowned author Julia quinn, known for the hit series Bridgerton.

I'm very excited, I think it's been 6 years since I've been to Brazil. I find everything there unbelievable, so excited! They are the best fans.

Julia Quinn, author of the “Bridgerton” book series

The attraction is scheduled for the 2nd of September.

costume parade

The international writers Cassandra clare, author from the book saga The Mortal Instruments e Holly black, author of the trilogy The People of the Air, confirmed their presence in this new bet of the event. Although more information has not been released, the parade, which takes place on September 3, will allow the public to cosplay their favorite characters from literature.

Books & Music & Party

Young-adult literature has been gaining more fans, especially when we see that the genre is also gaining more and more adaptations such as Red, White and Blue Blood. To commemorate this remarkable moment, the Bienal's curatorship decided to throw a party filled with the soundtracks that inspired many books, while invited as writers and booktokers share their passions both literary and musical. The party takes place on the 9th of September.

Streaming and greater use of green space

One of the outstanding innovations in this edition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Bienal is the renewed use of the outdoor space. With the occurrence of the pandemic, the importance of experiences in external environments was a crucial point in the formation of ideals for the curatorship of the event.

The central garden will be transformed into a dynamic environment, equipped with a streaming which will broadcast live the discussions and debates of the main tables of the day.

FAQ

To make everything more convenient, we've simplified the essential information so you can prepare for the Biennial and enjoy a better experience.

opening hours

• September 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th: 09h of the 21h
• September 2st, 3th, 9th, 10th: 10h of the 22h
• September 7th and 8th: 09h of the 22h

Tickets

• Entire: R$ 39,00
• Sock: R$ 19,50

Advance ticket sales are now available at website, but it will also be possible to purchase them directly at the entrance to the event. Remember that there is a limit of 8 tickets per CPF.

pavilions

So you don't get lost, we've also separated a list with the distribution of event spaces.

• Arts Pavilion – Here you will find the ticket office/accreditation and the information desk to answer questions.
• Orange – Space for children's activities, in addition to the Literary Boulevard and one of the food courts.
• Azul – For those looking for the Palavras-Chave space and wishing to participate in autograph sessions.
• Green – Literary Café Pavilion, the Plural Station, the Exhibitors Auditorium for inspiring lectures, the Official Store, the Customer Service Center (SAC), in addition to another food court option.

Withdrawal of passwords

To ensure that you make the most of the autographs and the official panels of the event, do not forget that the passwords (wristbands) to participate in both will be distributed one hour before the start of each panel with the authors.

The autographs take place after the sessions and it is important to highlight that each bracelet holder will have the chance to obtain an autograph, with the limitation of one book per person.

So, ready? Which attraction are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments!

Learn more

Sources: Book Biennial, G1, O Dia

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (18 / 08 / 23)