A raft of programmes is set for this year’s over two-week-long Letras & Companhia (“Literature and Companions”), with the event having started yesterday and lasting through May 24.
The literary and cultural festival for parents and children, title-sponsored by integrated resort operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) and this year themed “My City”, is organised by IPOR - Instituto Português do Oriente in conjunction with the Consulate-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong.
While the event will formally open on Saturday, the event’s children’s book fair “Alphabet Market” is already taking place at Livraria Portuguesa (Portuguese Bookshop) on Rua de São Domingos (板樟堂街). This ongoing free-admission portion of the event features a selection of children’s literature and works from the young adult genre throughout the festival. Authors comprise those from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), Macau and elsewhere in China, according to information from the organisers, noting that the literary works are in Portuguese, Chinese, and English.
Held across venues such as IPOR and the Portuguese Bookshop, other programmes set to be held include book launches and presentations, workshops such as those centred on picture books and creative writing, an exhibition by youngsters, and shows. Among them is also the two-session programme “A Night at the... Library”, which takes place from the evening until the following morning at the IPOR library that will feature workshops, reading sessions and dramatisations, with developing joy around books and stimulating interest in reading among its aims.
The programmes are either held in Portuguese, sometimes also in English or Chinese.
IPOR Director Patrícia Quaresma noted in the programme introduction that this year’s theme invites youngsters and their families to “explore and appreciate the place where they live, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and encouraging them to take a keen and curious interest in the community that welcomes them”.
She added: “Through a diverse programme spanning literature, music, the visual arts, the performing arts and theatre, the festival will seek to awaken in young people an interest in the history, culture, geography and daily life of their city, whilst stimulating critical thinking and creativity”.
For more details, visit https://ipor.mo/.
Photo of a selection of books featured for the children’s book fair “Alphabet Market” at Livraria Portuguesa taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
