Joel Francisco Pires and Eduardo Corrêa Borges (photos) are our interviewees this week. They were both born in the central Brazilian state of Goiás, but have lived for many years in São José dos Campos, a city known in the country as the headquarters of the big airplane producer, Embraer. Joel Francisco, a mechanic technician, and Eduardo Corrêa, a mechanic airplane engineer, both work at Embraer. And they are both engaged in the Spiritist Movement in the city. They are part of the team organising the city’s 40th Spiritist Book Fair. In this interview, they talk about the event and other

interesting facts about the Spiritist Movement in the region:

1^st Part: Interview with Joel Francisco Pires 

When and where will the 40^th Spiritist Book Fair take place? 

As in previous years, just before Brazilian Independence Day (7^th September) at the Cônego Lima square, in the city centre. 

What is the most remarkable aspect of the event in nearly 40 years since its first edition? 

I think the most important lesson we’ve learned is the important of getting the different Spiritist Groups and organisations working together, and that what’s been happening.  

What have been the biggest challenges and obstacles along the years? 

There have been many. I would say some of the main challenges have been the lack of financial resources; getting together stable and reliable teams, to meet once a month on Saturday mornings; preparing the stand; all the planning involved; the absolute need to meet all the deadlines; buying the books… 

And what would you say were the happiest moments? 

The best feeling we could get is the joy of disseminating our Master Jesus’ Doctrine, as we make new friends and promote union among all Spiritist workers. The friends we make are so gratifying… It’s a learning process for life. Spiritist workers say that we learn all the theory in our studies of the Doctrine, but that in the Book Fair we put into practice the experience of fraternal coexistence that will bring true growth and spiritual development. 

Is there any particular story or anecdote from the last 40 years at the Book Fair that you would like to share with us? 

Yes. Once a young man with some mental illness absconded and turned up at the Book Fair saying he was missing his girlfriend. He asked for biscuits and a cup of coffee, as he was about to go out to look for his girlfriend. As he sat down to have his snack, two Spiritist workers with us, pioneers of Spiritist fluidotherapy, treated him. Meanwhile, we phoned his clinic and he came after him, telling us they had been looking for the patient for quite some time.  

The Spiritist Book Fair is held every year. Does it take place always at around the same time of the year?  

It has been held every year for the last 39 years. It is now part of the official calendar of events of the city of São José dos Campos. But before that it took place in another square in the city centre, in the month of October, to coincide with the birthday of the codifier of Spiritism, Allan Kardec. But that is the rain season in the area, and we decided to move the event to the end of August, beginning of September, which are drier months. 

Does the organisers of the Book Fair keep a bookstock? 

No. In 2010 we managed to make special deals with publishing houses and distributors, which meant we were able to sell more than 10,500 books during the event. 

2^nd Part: Interview with Eduardo Corrêa Borges 

Do you think the success of the 2010 Book Fair was in part a result of the success of the Spiritist films, Chico Xavier and Nosso Lar – the Astral City? 

There’s no doubt about that. Otherwise we wouldn’t have beaten our previous selling record by about 40%. Also, the number of Nosso Lar books sold, 166, went beyond the most optimistic estimates.  

Were you happy with the experience of having book signing events during the Fair? 

Yes, book signings and the presence of authors have been a very positive part of our annual Book Fairs.  

What resources have you used to publicise the event? 

This year, we have enclosed 10,000 leaflets in a local paper – that’s something new. We have also used airtime on a number of radio stations and the television programme produced by the Spiritist Movement in the city. And we have used the traditional method, of announcing the event in all Spiritist Groups in the city. 

Have you planned anything special for the 2011 event, to mark the 40^th anniversary? 

The team selected to organise this year’s Spiritist Book Fair is certainly planning something special. And we are all looking forward to what they will come up with, as this is indeed a very special occasion. 

Anything else to add? 

We thank Jesus for the opportunity to be part of this project. It has a huge reach, but one that’s difficult to be measured. The other thing to highlight is the gratitude we all have to the work of the pioneers, who came before us. I always think that the work, 40 years on, is still so hard… How hard must it have been for those who began it all and believed the tree they were planting would bear fruits!