Portuguese lead to Frankfurt bet on the internationalization of literature

“ Vthere will surely be a large delegation of Portuguese editors, who will meet with previously organized contacts with the German counterparts”, said Lusa Patrícia Salvação Barreto, cultural advisor of the Embassy of Portugal in Berlin.

October 8th will be one of the central moments of Portuguese participation, with a reception organized around the Portugal Receipt initiative, which aims to bring together editors and professionals from the sector and create business opportunities.

“It’s a day not only from Portugal to receive people, but above all to do business, to trade rights,” said Patricia Salvação Barreto, highlighting the involvement of the General Directorate of the Book, Archives and Libraries (DGLAB), the Embassy of Portugal and the Portuguese Association of Editors and Bookkeepers (APEL).

The responsible considers that the adherence expressed by the Portuguese editors allows us to view the initiative with expectation, in a fair that, despite its name, works mainly as an international market for editorial rights.

“ That is not a book fair, it is a fair for the sale of rights to books and other works produced by copyrights ", observed.

The negotiation of rights may allow Portuguese works to be later translated into German and reach other markets, including through events such as the Leipzig Book Fair, which has a strong public turnout.

The Portuguese presence will also be assured in the Pavilion of Portugal, an initiative organized by APEL with financial support from DGLAB, which will present a selection of translations of works by Portuguese authors supported by internationalization lines.

Books distinguished by the National Illustration Award, the Book Design Award and the National Comics Award will also be featured.

The Portuguese editorial design will also have representation in the Buchkunst space, with the 20 books distinguished in the Book Design Award 2025. Among them is "The Papilla Ovarys", from studio Macedo Cannatà, distinguished with a bronze medal in the international Best Book Design From All Over The World competition 2026.

The program also includes the participation of writer Rafael Gallo, winner of the literary residence in Berlin, who will be at the fair on October 9th and 10th, in meetings and debates on literature in Portuguese.

The author will also participate in a conversation with translator Michael Kegler, scheduled for October 9, at 8:00 p.m., at the Portuguese bookstore TFM in Frankfurt.

The literary residence also provides for a visit to the Frankfurt European School, where, as in previous years, the writer will have contact with students of different ages attending Portuguese classes.

“ The authors who earn the literary residence will occupy the school time of the teachers who teach Portuguese at the European School”, said Patrícia Salvação Barreto, considering that the initiative allows students to know the work of Portuguese-speaking writers directly.

The Portuguese participation takes place from October 7 to 11, in an edition of the fair, which also includes the announcement of the nominees for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026, for which DGLAB presents Portuguese applications annually.

The Frankfurt Book Fair, considered the world's largest event in the publishing sector, brings together around 4,350 exhibitors from 131 countries annually, more than 230,000 visitors and thousands of professionals and journalists.

Portugal participates in the event for more than 50 years, through APEL and DGLAB, beginning in 2026 to occupy a new space of 136 square meters, next to one of the entrances of the fair, location that aims to strengthen the visibility of the Portuguese edition.