The Literary Celebration
Ceará, known for its rich cultural diversity, will host one of Brazil’s biggest literary events: the XV Ceará International Book Biennial, which will take place from April 4 to 13, 2025, at the Ceará Events Center in Fortaleza. This biennial event has established itself as one of the most important in the country, bringing together writers, readers, publishers and professionals from the literary sector to celebrate literature and culture.
The theme of the Biennale 2025: Women, Resistance and Literature
The XV Book Biennial will be marked by a powerful and reflective theme: “From the Fires to the Fire of Words: Women, Resistance and Literature”. This year’s curatorship is entirely made up of women, coordinated by Maura Isidório and the writers Sarah Diva Ipiranga, Nina Rizzi, Amara Moira and Trudruá Dorrico. The theme was chosen to highlight the strength of women in literature and to reflect on female resistance throughout history, from persecution to the social transformation brought about by writing.
Diverse and Inclusive Program
The Bienal 2025 program will be extensive and aimed at different audiences, offering a rich exchange of literary experiences. In all, there will be 18 themed spaces, ranging from children’s literature to debates on the publishing market and new forms of storytelling. Here are some of the main highlights:
1. Literature and Childhood
This space will be dedicated to children and young readers. With activities such as storytelling, creative writing workshops and meetings with authors specializing in children’s literature, the aim is to foster a love of reading from an early age.
2. Literature and Youth
The 2025 Biennale will also be concerned with young people, dealing with contemporary issues such as identity, politics, feminism and the cultural transformations that young people are experiencing. There will be lectures, debates and workshops so that young people can discuss and explore these issues through literature.
3. Oralities, Ancestry, Masters of Culture
This space aims to value oral traditions and the rich popular culture of Ceará and the Northeast. The public will be able to learn more about cordel literature, songs, myths and legends passed down through the generations. The focus will be on preserving and disseminating these cultural manifestations.
4. Cordel Square
One of Ceará’s and the Northeast’s greatest literary assets, cordel literature will have its own space. Live performances by repentistas, verse recitations and exhibitions on the art of cordel will be present to show the relevance of this literary expression in Northeastern culture.
5. Literature and Fashion
This space will bring together two creative universes: literature and fashion. How do these two worlds meet? How can authors inspire or be inspired by fashion trends? The idea is to explore the intersections between these two fields of art.
6. Literature and Gastronomy
With the participation of writers and chefs, this space will discuss the relationship between literature and gastronomy, highlighting how food can be a protagonist in stories, as well as exploring the impact that literature can have on the gastronomic universe.
The Book Fair: An Unmissable Opportunity
The Book Fair is one of the Bienal’s major attractions. This year, 188 stands will be set up, bringing together publishers from all over Brazil and the world. With more than 100,000 titles on offer, the Fair will offer books in various genres, such as fiction, poetry, academic literature, technical literature and much more. The fair is expected to welcome more than 500,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest literary events in Brazil.
Pre-Biennial Actions: Preparing the Ground for the Event
Before the big celebration, the Pre-Bienal do Livro will be held in schools and communities, promoting creative writing workshops, soirees, storytelling and other activities aimed at bringing literature closer to the local public and encouraging reading from an early age. These activities will take place in various parts of Ceará, ensuring that the Biennial is not restricted to the main event, but involves the whole state.
Ceará: A Literary and Cultural Hub in Brazil
The XV International Book Biennial of Ceará is not just a literary event, but a true celebration of northeastern culture. The 2025 edition reaffirms Ceará’s commitment to promoting literature and culture, establishing the state as an important literary and cultural hub in Brazil. With an innovative curatorship and an inclusive program, the Biennial promises to be one of the largest and most significant editions of all time.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Literature, Culture and Resistance
The XV International Book Biennial of Ceará in 2025 will undoubtedly be a unique experience for all lovers of literature and culture. With a relevant theme, a diverse program and a great appreciation of women’s literature, the event has everything it takes to consolidate itself as a cultural landmark not only for Ceará, but for the whole of Brazil.
