Casa Portugal will return to the International Literary Festival of Paraty (Flip) with the theme 'Literary Journeys,' transforming the cultural space in Paraty into a meeting point from July 22 to 26. The program will feature authors, artists, researchers, chefs, and guests from both Portugal and Brazil, offering debates, presentations, tastings, and various other activities accessible to the public.
Under the curation of Brazilian writer Mar Becker and Portuguese writer José Luís Peixoto, the event aims to promote deep reflection on the interconnection between literature, territory, memory, cuisine, and the creative process. Inspired by the concept of literary journeys, the encounters explore different regions of Portugal, analyzing how places impact written production and, conversely, how literature modifies the way people travel, inhabit, and remember these spaces.
Maintaining the literary café format, the program will include Portuguese snacks, sweets, and wines, in addition to showcooking sessions and tastings. Portuguese chef Rita Magro will be responsible for the gastronomic experiences. She has a notable history, having won a Michelin star at the Blind restaurant in Porto in 2025, alongside chef Vítor Matos, and was elected Best Young Chef by the Michelin Guide the previous year. Additionally, Rita is part of the TAP Air Portugal's Local Stars project, which introduces dishes from Portuguese chefs on the airline's long-haul flights in business class.
In addition to discussion panels and gastronomic offerings, Casa Portugal will have a bookstore dedicated to the attending authors and works of Portuguese literature. The venue will also present festivals, book fair exhibitions, destinations, and projects related to literary tourism in Portugal. This initiative is supported by Turismo de Portugal, TAP, and Embratur.
The event will take place in the Historic Center of Paraty, at Rua Dona Geralda, 152, from July 22 to 26. Operating hours are: Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The detailed program includes youth activities, round tables on language and identity, book launches, and show classes focusing on gastronomy and literature.
In addition to the programming focused on literature, the International Literary Festival of Paraty (FLIP) mobilizes various establishments such as restaurants, cafes, bars, and bookstores located in the Historic Center, in addition to inspiring tourist routes through the city's points of interest.
The 24th edition of FLIP will take place between July 22nd and 26th in Paraty, located on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro. This year, the event pays tribute to the poet Orides Fontela and features Rita Palmeira as curator, with the historic center transforming into a large meeting point for readers and writers during the five days.
Various locations in the city have organized complementary activities to serve the festival's public. At DAQUI, a stop for coffee, the Verrine Chocolatudo dessert, created by consultant chef Fernanda Valdivia, was launched, composed of chocolate cake, ganache, and paprika paste, costing R$ 28. The establishment is located at Rua Tenente Francisco Antônio, 84, in the Historic Center, and operates at various times during FLIP.
The bar located in the garden of the Flávia Aranha store offers meals and drinks all day long, with daily musical programming. Among its novelties are the Perequefish (R$ 48), a crispy fish sandwich served on banana brioche with tartar sauce and pancakes, made in tribute to Luiz Perequê. The Atlântico 3 Leches Verrine dessert (R$ 28) is also available, made with vanilla cake, milk, dulce de leche, and creamy milk.
Casa da Sete Selos, an independent cultural space, will resume its activities on the mezzanine of the store, promoting book launches and literary meetings during FLIP. This space is located in Jardim da Flávia Aranha, at Rua Dona Geralda, 302, in the Historic Center, operating from Monday to Sunday, except Tuesdays.
Quintal das Letras, the restaurant of Pousada Literária, will operate with a simplified menu, maintaining popular dishes such as moqueca de peixe with rice and garlic farofa (R$157) and black rice with pupunha (R$ 117). The suggested dessert is the Verrine O Melhor Banoffee (R$ 28). It is located at Rua Tenente Francisco Antônio, 362, in the Historic Center, and serves daily from 12h to 23h.
Livraria das Marés, neighboring Pousada Literária, will offer a special program with autograph sessions and conversations with invited authors. In the back of the bookstore, the cafe serves items from Empório DAQUI. The bookstore is at Rua Tenente Francisco Antônio, 52, in the Historic Center, open every day from 10h to 22h.
For those who wish to explore Paraty outside the literary programming, the group OCanto has provided a map containing suggestions for restaurants, bars, cafes, cultural attractions related to the region's historical heritage and nature.
Outside the Historic Center, Fazenda Bananal offers immersion activities in the Atlantic Forest and regional gastronomy. The most visited beaches nearby include Trindade, Praia do Sono, São Gonçalo, São Gonçalinho (Pelado Island), and Paraty-Mirim. Regarding waterfalls, the city has options such as Cachoeira do Tobogã, Poço do Tarzan, Cachoeira da Pedra Branca, Cachoeira das Galhetas, and Cachoeira do Saco Bravo. Additionally, it is possible to visit the Quilombo do Campinho, the first officially recognized in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Porto's Baixa once again became a stage for national celebration during a night marked by both anguish and festivity, after Portugal advanced to the World Cup round of 16, securing a narrow 2-1 victory against Croatia, with the match against Spain already anticipated.
Thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Porto, using giant screens located in Praça D. João I and Avenida dos Aliados, to celebrate the result. This event joins other recent festivities in the city, such as FC Porto's championship win and the São João celebrations.
João Ferreira, 34, expressed the mixed feeling of the night, commenting that the city experienced moments of great celebration, but this one was particularly difficult because 'the heart almost couldn't take it.'
However, Croatia managed to surprise the Porto fans early in the second half, scoring first and silencing the supporters. Marta Sousa, 27, who watched the game at Aliados, described this moment as 'a bucket of cold water,' as the initial belief was abruptly interrupted.
The Portuguese reaction came shortly after. Although Cristiano Ronaldo generated euphoria with a goal later disallowed for offside, the party resumed when the captain took a big penalty and equalized the match, sending Praça D. João I into frenzy. Rui Almeida, 46, who watched the game from Gaia, stated that 'when he took the ball, I knew he would score. It's Ronaldo. In these moments, we always believe.'
From that point, Portugal showed strength, and the tension increased considerably until the 90+3 minutes, when Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal 2-1, causing the celebration to explode in Baixa. Ana Martins, 39, recounted the intensity of the moment, saying that 'it was crazy. I hugged people I had never seen before. It seemed like all of Porto had scored that goal.'
The drama did not end there. At 90+13, Croatia managed an equalizer, causing renewed silence in the crowd. However, the euphoria was restored after the referee consulted VAR and disallowed the Croatian goal. At the final whistle, Porto's Baixa celebrated the hard-fought victory, qualification for the round of 16, and the anticipation of the next challenge against Spain.
