Date Published: Sunday, November 17, 2024 | Category: Culture
Algiers – The 27th edition of the Algiers International Book Fair (SILA), held from November 6 to 16, witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 4.3 million visitors, according to the event’s commissioner, Mohamed Iqreb, on Sunday.
Record-Breaking Attendance
In a statement, Mr. Iqreb highlighted that the fair set a new attendance record, with Friday, November 15, marking a peak of 863,000 visitors in a single day. From the very start, the event drew massive crowds, eager for literature and cultural enrichment, with attendees of all ages coming from across Algeria. The event hosted numerous activities, including exhibitions, lectures, poetry evenings, and book-signing sessions.
A Celebration of Reading and Revolution
Held at the Palais des Expositions in Pins Maritimes under the high patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and supervised by the Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, this year’s fair bore the theme “We Read to Triumph.” It coincided with the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian Revolution of November 1, 1954, a milestone woven into the fair’s programming.
The event paid homage to this historic occasion through seminars, discussions, and exhibitions featuring influential figures from Arab and international communities. These sessions examined Algeria’s revolutionary history through various lenses, including research and literature.
Highlights of the Fair
The 10-day event concluded on Saturday, November 16, with the distribution of the “My First Book” Award in its inaugural edition. Additionally, the “Best Pavilion Award” was presented to Qatar, the fair’s guest of honor.
Prominent attendees included Minister Soraya Mouloudji, delegations from the Council of the Nation and the National People’s Assembly, Qatar’s ambassador to Algeria, and numerous Algerian writers and intellectuals.
Key attractions included the Palestine Space, Africa Space, and major lecture halls, all drawing significant crowds. The diverse cultural program aligned with Algeria’s official priorities, emphasizing themes such as the Algerian Revolution, the Palestinian cause, and the Sahrawi issue. Special sessions also celebrated Qatar’s participation as the guest of honor, alongside a focus on Africa’s rich literary heritage.
This remarkable event reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to fostering a thriving cultural and literary landscape, resonating with the nation’s historical and political identity.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
Algiers International Book Fair, cultural event, Algerian Revolution, literary heritage
