Several publishers accused Apel of refusing to them for years of more pavilions in Eduardo VIII Park, as large editorial groups and restoration continue to increase their spaces.
The Portuguese Association of Publishers and Booksters expressed surprise with the reaction of independent publishers who accuse her to refuse requests from more pavilions at the Lisbon Book Fair, unlike large groups.
Confronted with complaints from independent and small publishers, who this year see each other again prevented from increasing the number of pavilionswhile already dominant editorial groups and restoration spaces expand territory, the Portuguese Association of Editors and Books (APEL), which organizes the Lisbon Book Fair, was surprised to be surprised “With some reactions, since it always guided its performance for total transparency and opening to dialogue.”
Several publishers accused APEL in account of Lusa agency, to refuse them for years of more pavilionsnot paEduardo VIII, as large editorial groups and restoration continue to increase their spaces.
“All participants who requested it were informed of the reasons that justified the partial assignment of pavilions in the original request,” Apel told a written response sent to Lusa agency, a day after being confronted with the complaints of growth blockade, in the country’s largest divestrip by independent publishers.
“Given the high number of requests for participation, in 2024 it was necessary to proceed with a careful selection,” says APEL. “In 2025, the search widely surpassed the supply of pavilions, again forcing a rigorous and balanced assessment […]. Aware that 53 requests could not be fulfilled, APEL’s direction ensured a transparent, fair and sustained allocation process in objective principles. “
APEL SAYS THAT “It has been improving the pavilion distribution model, anchoring their decisions in statistical data from the bookstore sector, the diversity and size of the catalogs presented and in active market references.”considering “Still the nature of the products to be exposed, especially valuing the promotion of Portuguese Language Literature published in Portugal, as well as the encouragement of reading.”
Black Orpheus, China Ink, Water Clock, Emergency Exit, Book Wing, becoming just some of the publishers that complain about recurring refusals of APEL in recent years.
The limitation of physical space, according to the editors, has consequences in sales: it decreases the number of books of the day that can be highlighted, as the soul of books, as well as the exhibition of increasingly sought after genres, such as illustration and comics, which the national reading plan itself recognizes important reading, affecting editors such as Levoir and becoming.
The black Orpheus, which maintains two pavilions, saw by “Third consecutive year” The refusal of an increase for three pavilions, told Lusa Leonor Rodrigues, who coordinates the participation in the fair.
The ink, another of the publishers who claim to be injured, reports that it has been asking for another unsuccessful pavilion for five years. “It is systematically refused. […] The large groups have occupied the space of the Lisbon Book Fair to their ‘Bel-Prazer’ and do not let the medium and small independent publishers grow, which are not represented either. “
Last year the Lisbon Book Fair reached the capacity limit, with 350 pavilions, a number that remains this year, but with fewer publishers represented. According to APEL data, last year there were 140 participants, this year the number fell to 133, increasing the number of seal in some editorial groups.
During the presentation of this year’s Lisbon Book Fair, the 95th edition, APEL revealed that the restoration area was also expanded.
According to the fair map, the Leya Editorial Group has 39 pavilions, the Porto Editora and Bertrand Circle group have 30 pavilions and the Editorial Presence has 20.
In the response sent to Lusa, the APEL is confident that “the gradual correction of any distortions makes the attribution of spaces increasingly just, balanced and grounded.”
“The Lisbon Book Fair is today the largest cultural event in the country, and APEL reaffirms its commitment to ensure its continuity with professionalism, equity and respect for all those involved in the book sector,” concludes the association.
