The 28th Algiers International Book Fair (SILA 2025) concluded this evening, under the patronage of the Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda. The closing ceremony took place at the “Assia Djebar” Grand Conference Hall in the Palais des Expositions, Pins Maritimes, in the presence of prominent cultural and intellectual figures.
The fair’s commissioner delivered a speech highlighting the achievements of this year’s edition, which brought together guests from various continents, transforming the book into a unifying space for dialogue and cultural exchange under the theme: “The Book: A Meeting Place of Cultures.”
Minister Bendouda expressed her pride in this cultural gathering, which united words, thoughts, and imagination over ten days. She emphasized the exceptional attendance and the rich intellectual and cultural content of the fair, reflecting an image of Algeria as a culture open to the world while remaining proud of its identity and heritage. The Minister also announced the extension of the fair’s duration in the upcoming edition to further enhance cultural dialogue and intellectual exchange between participants and visitors.
Bendouda affirmed that the book remains at the heart of national cultural policies, noting that the success of this edition was the result of collective work and the state’s will. She explained that preparations for the next edition have already begun to ensure a more radiant, prominent, and impactful event, reaching every home, library, and reader.
“Culture is a force for construction before it is a field for expression, and reading is an act of awareness, liberation, and advancement,” she highlighted.
The ceremony included the honoring of seven figures who have left their mark on the national literary and artistic scene: Professor Abdelhamid Bourayou, Professor Makhlouf Amer, poet Nadia Nouacer, poet Abdelhamid Chakil, poet Dr. Habiba Mohammedi, Professor and researcher Christiane Chawli Achour, and writer Bachir Khalf. Additionally, the “Luxury Books Pavilion” was announced as the best participating pavilion in this edition. The “My First Book” awards, in its second edition, were distributed in Arabic, Amazigh, French, and English, to encourage new voices and consolidate a culture of writing and publishing among young people.
