86th edition of Lisbon's Book Fair kicks off

The 86th edition of Lisbon's Book Fair kicked off on Thursday at Lisbon's Eduardo VII park and was inaugurated by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The fair will count with 277 stands, selling books by national and international authors.

The organisers of the fair, which takes place until June 13, expect to receive around a million visitors.

President of the Portuguese Association of Editors and Booksellers (APEL) Joao Amaral said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa would become an honorary member of APEL, saying the country's head of state hadn't visited the fair during its inauguration in around 15 years.

Rebelo de Sousa revealed on Thursday that he will be holding a book fair, Festa do Livro, at his official residence at the Palace of Belem, in collaboration with APEL, in September.

(APD)