On September 4, 2026, local time, the 28th São Paulo International Book Biennial officially commenced in São Paulo, Brazil. As the largest and most influential book publishing event in Latin America, this year's Biennial has not only reached its largest scale in history but also serves as a vital international platform connecting the global publishing community and fostering cross-cultural exchanges. In an era where digital reading is increasingly prevalent, this grand literary celebration once again proves the irreplaceable charm and vibrant vitality of print reading.
Reportedly, the 2026 São Paulo International Book Biennial has achieved a historic breakthrough in exhibition scale. The total exhibition space reached 86,000 square meters, a substantial 28% increase from the previous edition. During the event, which runs from September 4 to 13, the fair has brought together 350 renowned domestic and international authors and 269 premier exhibitors from around the globe. On the opening day alone, tens of thousands of reading enthusiasts flocked to the venue, creating a bustling atmosphere. Organizers estimate that the event will attract over 700,000 visitors throughout its run. To cater to diverse reader needs, the fair has meticulously planned and designed 11 thematic zones, including the Cultural Arena, Educational Space, and Industry Forum. The exhibits cover a full spectrum of books, ranging from pure literature, social sciences, and youth culture to fantasy and romance. Visitors can also explore exquisitely bound classics, convenient pocket books, a wide variety of textbooks, as well as an impressive array of deluxe editions, collector's editions, and cultural and creative merchandise.
Amidst the fast-paced modern society and the ubiquity of electronic screens, the São Paulo International Book Biennial offers the public an immersive cultural oasis. Here, the moment one touches the paper and turns the page, the warmth of the words lingers at their fingertips; this authentic reading experience retains an irreplaceable power. Murilo, a 12-year-old young reader from São Paulo, shared his feelings in an interview with a China Media Group reporter. He confessed that his visit to the Biennial stems from a genuine love for reading, noting that authentic reading and the physical text bring him far more joy and inner peace than cold electronic screens. This reflects that no matter how technology evolves, humanity's yearning for in-depth reading and the enduring appeal of physical books remains unchanged.
Notably, this year's fair also showcases the fruitful results of Chinese culture and its related supporting industries going global. From the millennia-old heritage of the Four Great Inventions to modern breakthroughs in high technology, China's advanced printing and supply chain technologies are deeply empowering international publishing cooperation. This enables high-quality books to traverse vast distances and be presented to readers in Latin America and beyond with exceptional quality. A representative from a Chinese printing company remarked in an interview that in just over a decade, their enterprise has grown from a small printing shop of less than 100 square meters into an international company with annual exports exceeding 100 million yuan, establishing overseas offices in multiple regions worldwide. Behind this success lies not only the dividends of the times but also a robust leap in the digital transformation and full industry chain support capabilities of China's printing sector. This transition from "Made in China" to "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" has not only enhanced the international competitiveness of Chinese printing enterprises but also provided efficient and high-quality supply chain assurance for the global publishing industry.
Meanwhile, the international influence of China's cultural and educational industry continues to grow, and China-Brazil cooperation in the education sector is becoming increasingly close. Fernanda Pacobaiba, President of the National Textbook Program at the Brazilian Ministry of Education, highly praised China's development experience in an exclusive interview with a China Media Group reporter. She noted that China's development experience holds profound implications for Brazil. To learn from this valuable experience, the Brazilian government has sent multiple delegations to China for field visits. Numerous Chinese technology companies have seized the opportunity to become key partners in Brazil's education reform, jointly exploring how to deeply integrate cutting-edge technologies into classroom teaching and promote education modernization. Fernanda emphasized that China-Brazil cooperation has yielded abundant results, from which Brazil has benefited greatly. She specifically pointed out that China, with a much larger population than Brazil, has also overcome tremendous challenges in achieving mass universal education, attaining world-renowned accomplishments. Brazil is continuously learning from China's experience and the efforts of its people to better advance its own educational development.
Though mountains and seas have their bounds, the universal appeal of books knows no borders. The 28th São Paulo International Book Biennial is not merely a book trade event, but a grand international exchange gala featuring mutual learning among civilizations, technological empowerment, and shared prosperity in education. As the fair progresses, it will continue to witness the sparking of intellectual ideas and the forging of cross-border cooperation, injecting strong new momentum into the prosperity of the global publishing industry and the cultural exchange between China and Brazil.