Interview by Rui Pastorin
A market was held this past weekend on Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro (瘋堂斜巷) as part of the 2025 Picture Book Festival organised by 10 Fantasia gallery.
Returning again this coming weekend, the market had its opening ceremony on Saturday and features workshops and several booths, including those providing activities such as face painting and art products.
Among the entities running booths are the Macao Children’s Literature Association (澳門兒童文學協會). “We have many children’s books, literature, clayanimation, and some other products”, the association’s Marketing Director Angela Lao En-yu told the Post yesterday afternoon at the market, with various genres presented for youngsters.
Lao, who herself is an author and animator and has won numerous awards for her works, pointed out that reading is of utmost importance for everyone, regardless of age. “I think we need to let more people know about these things. Literature is very important”, pointing out that children and teens should not only be tied to their phones and video games. To her, the festival is helpful in not only breaking these cycles, but also encouraging others to read.
“Reading books is very important, so we need to promote this idea to more people”, whether they are tourists passing through the area or the city’s locals. And while each child can benefit greatly from picking up a book, each parent has an important role in introducing the habit and reinforcing its significance. “Sometimes, if the parents don’t want to encourage their kids to read, they won’t have a chance to read”, while the same goes for parents who don’t want to buy books for their children.
She also said that her association’s booth saw good sales during the first day of the market. And while it can be a challenge as it is generally unpredictable in terms of how many people will show up each time, she is optimistic about the coming weekend. “I think it will be good”.
This year’s picture book festival runs until October 3. Members of the public can take part in several activities including visiting one of its five concurrent exhibitions, themed workshop sessions and the upcoming weekend market.
Macao Children’s Literature Association Marketing Director Angela Lao En-yu poses with an array of books sold at the group’s booth at the 2025 Picture Book Festival on Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro (瘋堂斜巷) yesterday.
Booths present their products at the market yesterday afternoon.– Photos: Rui Pastorin
