A Brazilian Used Bookstore Sells To Arab Countries

(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) São Paulo – The granddaughter of Lebanese immigrants, Maristela Montesanti Calil Atallah, 63, runs one of the oldest second-hand bookstores in São Paulo. Alongside her son Murilo Montesanti, the librarian sells Brazilian literature works to other countries, including Arab nations.

Founded in 1945, Livraria Calil Antiquária serves those who visit the brick-and-mortar store in downtown São Paulo, and since 1997 it has also sold to other countries through the company's website. After being purchased, the books are shipped to dozens of nations via postal services.

“We sell to people from all over the world-from Europe, Asia, and Africa. I can't even say how many countries I've sold to or currently sell to, but I've catered to customers from Lebanon, Morocco, the United States, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. In addition to online sales, we also welcome buyers from other countries who are traveling in Brazil. I've sold to many Africans, Lebanese , and Dubaians ,” says the owner.

According to Atallah, when it comes to negotiating with Arabs, they always ask for a discount.“Unlike my other customers, the Arabs who come here always ask for a price reduction. They also come with a clear focus on what they want to buy and make their purchase after some conversation. I try to stick to the marked price, but if I can offer a discount, I do,” she recalls.

With a physical collection of over 300,000 copies and 60,000 titles available for online sale, Portuguese, English, and French books are among the most popular purchases.“But I've also sold books in Arabic to buyers from abroad. That language is definitely a minority among the works,” says Atallah.

The antiquarian bookseller focuses on Brazilian literature from the 1922 Modern Art Week, and among its oldest items are engravings from colonial Brazil. In addition to sales, the establishment also offers other services, such as bookbinding and the restoration of old books.

Coming from an Arab family, the trading customs and language of the region are already part of her daily life.“When I was a child, I used to hear my paternal grandparents speaking Arabic. I was never able to learn it. Despite that, I picked up other aspects of Arab culture, such as the cuisine.” Passionate about her grandmother's cooking, Atallah puts into practice recipes she learned from the matriarch of the Calil family.

After graduating in Library Science, Atallah began working at the bookstore in 1983 and eventually inherited the business after her father's passing.“Libano Calil was a teacher when he decided to open a bookstore in the city center. The idea came about because he was an avid reader. It wasn't easy to take over the business after he passed away in 1993. Despite that, we never faced financial difficulties-the business thrived,” recalls the Brazilian.

Located in an area filled with other secondhand bookstores, the business stands out, Atallah says, due to its large physical and digital collection.

“I think we also stand out because we offer a personal service-we're here face-to-face with customers from Monday to Friday. It's always been that way. Even during the pandemic, my son and I were here.”

One of the ways to properly cater to these diverse audiences, according to the librarian, is to stay alert to market opportunities.“Purchasing used books happens as new opportunities arise. I don't worry too much about what language the books are in, but rather about their quality.”

Just as her father did many years ago, Atallah is now passing the business on to the next generation. Despite having different work styles, mother and son work side by side to cater to readers from Brazil and elsewhere.

Read more:
Egypt: An Arab home to Brazilian books

Report by Rebecca Vettore, in collaboration with ANBA

Translated by Guilherme Miranda

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