After a thriving and successful first edition in 2023, the Book 2.0 festival returned to the Portuguese capital on the 5th and 6th of September as a leading forum on the future of reading and the book sector, reuniting notable European and international figures to discuss various related topics. EIBF Policy Assistant Lorenzo Dall’Omo was in attendance.
For this year’s edition, once again helmed by APEL (the Portuguese Publishers & Booksellers Association), readers, writers, publishers, booksellers, and many others gathered at Lisbon’s Museu do Oriente, guided by the theme #OFuturoDaLeitura (the future of reading). In true bookish fashion, the event was divided into three chapters. Let us then turn the page and begin.
Chapter 1 – The Future of Publishing in the Digital Age
Pedro Sobral, president of APEL, inaugurated the festival with a presentation on the current state of the Portuguese book market, titled "Book Market: Buying and Reading Habits in Portugal." While there was much to celebrate, such as a 7% increase in the country’s publishing sector over the last year and a general rise in reading habits, a concerning decline in reading in rural and isolated areas was also observed, reflecting a similar trend in other European countries. This underscored the need to connect these areas to spaces where reading can thrive and emphasized the importance of easy access to places like bookshops.
Following the opening speech, Vanessa Portillo from the World Literacy Foundation (WLF) delivered an inspiring, though sobering, presentation on the global literacy crisis. Over 773 million people worldwide are illiterate, and a staggering 2 billion people are functionally illiterate, meaning they lack the reading and writing skills necessary to manage daily tasks, both domestic and professional. Additionally, over 54% of adults possess literacy skills below a 6th-grade level. To combat this, among WLF’s innovative projects is a 'literacy pen', which uses technology to aid literacy acquisition through written and visual repetition.
Writer Jeneva Rose followed with a deeply personal speech about her journey to becoming a best-selling author, where social media played a key role in her success. In today’s saturated online world, where everyone is competing for attention, innovation and creativity are essential to standing out. This is also true for business owners like booksellers, who must balance their online and offline presence. Rose's message was clear: with challenges come opportunities, and innovation and creativity are the keys to success. Don’t be afraid to play with it and take risks – it will pay off eventually.
EIBF Co-President Fabian Paagman also contributed to the conference with a video message, highlighting the role of booksellers in fostering and enabling literacy while promoting values of peace, democracy, and tolerance. In today’s politically tense climate, it is crucial to continue advocating for booksellers and their vital role as community spaces. For a reminder of the significance of bookshops, revisit our recent RISE campaign.
What a captivating start that was! Let’s continue.
Chapter 2 – From Ecological Footprint to Rethinking Diversity
The second chapter focused on ecology and sustainability in the book sector. Rachel Martin, Global Sustainability Director at Elsevier, opened with a presentation on a study measuring the carbon footprint of the Portuguese publishing market.
Her findings showed that while the publishing industry is responsible for only a small portion of overall emissions, systemic changes within individual industries can spark broader, more impactful shifts. For example, what if a simple QR code could show how many emissions a book has generated? You can’t change what you don’t measure, and visibility into carbon footprints can raise awareness of our shared ethical responsibility. Furthermore, as more data on carbon emissions becomes available, these insights will only improve.
Incidentally, we were fortunate enough to record an episode of our Let’s Talk Bookselling podcast with Rachel, which you can listen to here. Don’t forget to also check out our report on sustainability in the bookselling sector for best practices that can help booksellers run more eco-conscious bookshops.
You’re making great progress! Now, let’s move on to the final chapter.
Chapter 3 – Education as a Gateway to Unleashing Human Potential
In this final chapter, the panel on "The Intersection between Culture & Education," featuring Alexandre Homem Cristo (Deputy Secretary of State for Education of Portugal) and Maria de Lurdes Craveiro (Secretary of State for Culture), explored how education can promote cultural engagement and literacy, fostering a deeper connection with the arts and society. Moderated by author and journalist Daniela Santiago, the panel discussed how to ensure that education and culture remain accessible to all, especially in economically disadvantaged areas, and what can be done to bridge the gap in cultural participation.
The discussion emphasized the connection between educational frameworks and cultural engagement, with education serving as a key driver of both literacy and public involvement in the arts. Homem Cristo and Lurdes Craveiro shared valuable insights on how inclusive policies can break down socio-economic barriers that limit access to education and culture. The dialogue also touched on how fostering a love for reading and cultural engagement from an early age can bridge the gap to broader societal participation.
As we reflect on the conversation, it's clear that improving accessibility to culture through education is essential not only for personal empowerment but for creating a vibrant, inclusive cultural landscape.
In conclusion, Book 2.0 provided a dense mosaic of perspectives, lessons, and stories, offering ample food for thought on the future of the book sector and its critical role in supporting healthy, thriving democracies. If you want to look over the entire list of speakers and panellists, head over to their website. We eagerly anticipate what the next editions will bring!