The space celebrates its 118th anniversary and aims to draw attention to the "alarming numbers regarding reading and access to books" in Portugal.

"It's time!" The last verse of 'Mensagem' by Fernando Pessoa serves as the motto to celebrate the 118th anniversary of Livraria Lello. For this reason, this Saturday, January 13th, admission is free and the first 118 customers will receive free books.

"To mark this very special occasion, we chose the last verse of 'Mensagem' by Fernando Pessoa, which will serve as inspiration for us to look at the alarming numbers regarding reading and access to culture in Portugal and, definitively, together with other institutions and individuals, take action to try to change them," the organizers announced on social media.

During the private celebrations, which are taking place on Saturday morning, they will also announce the program for 2024 and the creation of the Livraria Lello Foundation with new offices in a historic building. An exhibition dedicated to Fernando Pessoa will also be inaugurated, "featuring book editions and pamphlets published during the author's lifetime, posthumously published books, and books from Fernando Pessoa's personal library."

The event will feature the participation of fado singer Carminho, who will perform two songs related to the life and work of Fernando Pessoa. Only at the end, around 1 pm, will the doors open to customers. From then on, the first 118 will receive free books.

The bookstore was inaugurated on January 13, 1906, on Rua das Carmelitas. Currently, Lello is considered "one of the most beautiful in the world" and a Public Interest Monument.

Its architecture, collections of books from all corners of the world, and the fact that it inspired one of the most recognized sagas in literature and cinema, 'Harry Potter,' have made it especially famous in recent years.