The Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP) 2025: Brazil's biggest literary festival
- Rachel
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP), the annual international literary festival held in Paraty each year, is one of Brazil's most significant literary festivals. It attracts authors, readers, and book enthusiasts from around the globe. The festival typically spans five days, featuring a diverse program of author talks, panel discussions, book launches, and cultural performances.
Held annually in the historic coastal town of Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, FLIP transforms the city into a buzzing creative community hub.
Ready to plan your trip to Paraty? > Find cheap accommodation in Paraty > Find cheap bus tickets to Paraty
Skip to:
When is FLIP in 2025?
The 23rd edition of FLIP is scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 3, 2025. This marks a return to its traditional mid-year timing, aligning with the festival's original schedule since its inception in 2003. The decision to revert to this period was influenced by the desire to better integrate with the national and international literary calendar and to take advantage of Paraty's milder climate during this time of year.
Where is FLIP held?
FLIP is held in Paraty, a historic city located on the southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, Paraty provides a picturesque backdrop for the festival's events. See my full guide to visiting Paraty.
During FLIP, various venues throughout the city including theaters, churches, and public squares host a range of activities, allowing attendees to explore the city alongside the festival's literary events. The main literary panels are held in the Matriz Auditorium, with the sessions broadcast in the Praça Auditorium.
Planning to attend FLIP in 2025? > Book accommodation in Paraty for FLIP, ASAP > Find cheap bus tickets to Paraty
Origin of the Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP)
FLIP was founded in 2003 by British publisher Liz Calder, co-founder of Bloomsbury Publishing, who had deep ties to Brazilian literature. Inspired by the Hay Festival in the UK, Calder envisioned a similar event in Brazil to celebrate literature and foster dialogue among writers and readers. Organized by the nonprofit Associação Casa Azul, FLIP has since become a cornerstone of Brazil's cultural calendar.
FLIP's 2025 Honored Author: Paulo Leminski
A hallmark of FLIP is its commitment to honoring influential literary figures. Each year, the festival pays tribute to a distinguished author, celebrating their contributions to literature through dedicated sessions and discussions. Past honorees have included luminaries like Vinicius de Moraes, Clarice Lispector, and João do Rio, whose works continue to resonate with readers today.
FLIP will pay tribute to Paulo Leminski, a multifaceted Brazilian writer best known for his poetry. Leminski’s literary range extended well beyond verse—he authored chronicles, short stories, and the avant-garde novel Catatau, and also worked as a translator, critic, biographer, advertiser, musician, and black belt judoka. His legacy transcends his individual works, as he pioneered a unique approach to literature and poetry that broke traditional boundaries and brought these forms closer to popular culture and everyday life.
The 2025 FLIP Festival Programme
FLIP's programming extends beyond traditional literary events. Initiatives like Flipinha and FlipZona cater to younger audiences, offering activities such as storytelling, workshops, and interactive sessions to foster a love for reading among children and teenagers. Additionally, the festival embraces contemporary themes, addressing pressing issues like climate change, social justice, and digital culture through its curated panels and discussions.
The FLIP Artistic Program
FLIP’s Artistic Program is designed to go beyond the boundaries of traditional literary festivals by creating a multidimensional cultural experience. Each edition weaves literature together with other artistic disciplines such as architecture, graphic design, scenography, cinema, and music. Alongside its flagship events, the program includes year-round initiatives like workshops and immersive activities that deepen the connection between literature, place, and community.
Main Program: Traditionally composed of 20 literary panels held from Wednesday to Sunday in the Matriz Auditorium.
Public Access and Broadcasts: All Main Program sessions are simultaneously broadcast for free at the Praça Auditorium, with headsets offering simultaneous translation and audio description. Events are also streamed on FLIP’s official YouTube channel and on the Arte1 television channel.
Flip+: Launched in 2019, Flip+ complements the Main Program by hosting cultural activities such as talks, film screenings, and performances, developed in collaboration with institutional and artistic partners.
Partner Houses: For over a decade, FLIP has coordinated Partner Houses, which allow publishers, media outlets, and cultural institutions to host independent programming throughout the city, weaving them into the urban and cultural fabric of Paraty during the festival.
Praça Aberta: Created in 2018 as a symbolic extension of the Matriz Square at Areal do Pontal, Praça Aberta fosters open dialogue among writers, artists, locals, and visitors, celebrating the diversity of FLIP through inclusive, community-oriented programming that enhances interaction.
The FLIP Educational Program
FLIP’s Educational Program aims to foster a strong culture of reading in Paraty through two key initiatives: Flipinha and FlipZona. Throughout the year, Flipinha works with schools, educators, and families to promote inclusive reading practices across the city, countryside, and coastal regions, while FlipZona provides creative experiences for youth through digital media. During the festival, there are two key educational events for kids and youth:
Flipinha: In Matriz Square, the Central Flipinha pavilion hosts a rich lineup of children’s literary panels and storytelling sessions, featuring the beloved "book trees," alongside professional discussions for educators and literacy experts focused on the formation of young readers.
FlipZona: At the Central FlipZona hub, teenagers involved in the Jovem Repórter na Flip initiative conduct real-time multimedia coverage of the event, while also curating and leading youth-focused literary panels that explore themes central to adolescent experiences and literary engagement.
Where to buy tickets for FLIP Festival in 2025
Tickets for the 23rd edition of the Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP) will be available for purchase starting June 3 2025. Sales will be conducted exclusively through the official FLIP ticketing platform. The ticket price for the Matriz Auditorium sessions is R$ 55.00.
Many FLIP activities are free and open to the public, including live broadcasts of the main sessions in Matriz Square, music performances, and parallel programming hosted by partner houses and in the Praça Aberta.
The Cultural Impact of FLIP
FLIP plays a valuable role in promoting cultural tourism and community engagement in Paraty. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, boosting the local economy and providing opportunities for cultural exchange. Collaborations with local artists, educators, and organizations ensure that FLIP remains rooted in the community, reflecting the diverse voices and stories of the region.
In recent years, FLIP has expanded its reach through digital platforms, offering live-streamed events and online content to engage a global audience. This hybrid approach has allowed the festival to adapt to changing circumstances while continuing to promote literature and dialogue across borders.
More resources for planning your trip
Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. For more information on traveling by bus, read my full guide to taking long-distance busses in Brazil.
Book your accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels, there's something for everyone
Don't forget to read my packing check-list for Brazil
Finally, read this post to find out 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil!
コメント