What is Flipei and what makes the 2026 edition special?

The Festa Literária Pirata das Editoras Independentes (Flipei) — literally the Pirate Literary Festival of Independent Publishers — has been running since 2018 as a platform for cultural resistance and critical thinking. Its eighth edition runs from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 August in central São Paulo, and every single event is free of charge.

Where will events take place?

Five venues in the city centre host the programme: Espaço Cultural Elza Soares, Café Colombiano, Pratododia, Sol y Sombra Bar and Central 1926, located at Praça da Bandeira, 137.

Who are the headline guests?

More than 180 guests and 65 panel discussions are on the schedule. International highlights include:

  • Ruth Wilson Gilmore — global reference on prison abolitionism.
  • Gideon Levy — columnist at Haaretz and author of The Gaza Massacre (Editora Elefante).
  • Medea Benjamin — co-founder of Code Pink, author of Inside Iran.
  • Augusto Nimtz — political scientist specialising in Marxist theory and revolutionary history.
  • Rick Blackman — historian of music in anti-racist and anti-fascist struggles.
  • Tal Nitzan — poet and translator focused on resistance literature and human rights.

Brazilian names include deputy Luiza Erundina, writers Cida Bento and Cidinha da Silva, indigenous activist Txai Suruí (Paiter Suruí people), philosopher Vladimir Safatle, activist Thiago Ávila, and journalists Jamil Chade and Xico Sá.

What topics will be debated?

Panels cover the Israeli attacks on Palestine, maternity, fare-free public transport, psychoactives and mental health, abortion rights, racial and gender violence, climate justice, artificial intelligence, independent publishing and bibliodiversity.

What about the Funk exhibition?

The exhibition Funk: A Shout of Boldness and Freedom, curated by dancer and cultural producer Renata Prado, will be remounted at Central 1926. The show had its run at the Museu da Língua Portuguesa cut short in May following attacks by far-right lawmakers and a public-prosecutor investigation.

Key Facts:
  • 8th edition of Flipei, 5–9 August 2026, central São Paulo.
  • Free admission to all events.
  • 180+ guests and 65 panel discussions.
  • Five venues, including Espaço Cultural Elza Soares and Central 1926.
  • Funk exhibition remounted after being shut down early at the Museu da Língua Portuguesa.