The 22nd International Literary Festival of Paraty (Flip) came to an end on October 13, after five days of an intense cultural program. According to the organizers, the event attracted between 27,000 and 30,000 people to the historic city on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro.
As the flagship of a vast parallel program promoted by companies from different sectors, the main event, which took place around the Praça da Matriz in the historic center, featured 20 discussion panels that, according to the organizers, “brought to the center of their debates the plurality of views and sensitivities at play in contemporary times, addressing urgent issues such as climate emergency, fake news, and authoritarianism.”
The occupancy rate of hotels and inns reached 95%, and the streets were filled with people attracted by the presence of writers such as Brazilian Carla Madeira; Mexican Jazmina Barrera, Colombian Juan Cárdenas, Palestinian Atef Abu Saif, among others – including artists, celebrities, politicians, and opinion makers, with digital influencer Felipe Neto, who just released a book on hate and political polarization. He shared a panel with journalist Patrícia Campos Mello, author of A Máquina do Ódio, discussing how to confront hate.
In addition to the debates among authors, which were simultaneously and freely broadcast via a large screen installed in Praça da Matriz, the official program – which this year honored Rio de Janeiro writer João do Rio (1881-1921) – included the so-called Flip+, a free program consisting of film sessions, more literary debates, book launches, artistic performances, and activities for children, youth, and educators.
More than 53,000 people watched the debates of the main program on YouTube – a result more than double the 25,000 internet users recorded in 2023. According to the organizers, the educational activities involved at least 5,500 people.
Source: Agência Brasil