Algiers hosts Int'l Book Fair
2009-10-30
The Salon du Livre d'Alger (SILA) 2009, Algeria's international book fair, runs through November 6th and is drawing crowds of people who love the printed page.
By Mohand Ouali for Magharebia in Algiers – 30/10/09
 [Mohand Ouali] Bibliophiles throng the entrance to the Algiers international book fair, scheduled to run until November 6th. |
Despite some stormy disagreements, the Salon du Livre d'Alger (SILA) 2009 is under way in Algiers and will run until Friday (November 6th). This year's slogan for the international book fair, the most important literary event in Algeria, is "The Book is King".
"The 10,000 square metres of display space made available for the event were very satisfactorily taken up by the 343 publishers taking part, including 195 from 25 countries on different continents," the fair's organiser, Ismail Ameziane, told Magharebia.
More than 120,000 titles are on offer to readers at the event, which was opened to the public on Tuesday following an official inauguration that included the presence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the prime minister, and other prominent public figures.
Algiers' book-lovers have turned out in force, causing bottlenecks at the fair entrance. The organisers are predicting that even greater numbers will arrive over the weekend.
Samia B., who works as an archivist, said she had rushed to the fair on the first day to avoid the crowds. "There are already a lot of people here today, but I should find it easy enough to get around and buy the most interesting titles before they sell out," she added.
At first glance, it appears that the people of Algiers are interested in all subjects. Children's books, literature for students, and tomes about religion and history are all available in neat rows. Most titles are in French or Arabic, though works in Tamazight or English are also visible.
Brahim Hachour told Magharebia that he was "delighted to find the books on religion". He is limiting himself to just two titles. "The prices are lower than in the bookshops," he said. "I'll be coming back another day with more money to buy more."
The religious books are holding their own this year, thanks in particular to publishers from the Middle East. However, for some years now, authorities have been tightening up on the content of the books on display, banning any titles perceived as defending violence or terrorism.
Avid readers are not limited to paper editions alone. Publishers are also offering audiovisual products on CD. At this fair, Alpha Edition is also presenting a CD audio book of the essay "Seize the Day Before the Night" by Hamid Grine. This product, available in both Arabic and French versions, is the first of a series called "Talking Books", according to Alpha Editions director Lazhari Labter.
"The aim is to bring the book within the grasp of those who are disabled or on limited incomes," he said. In this spirit, the publisher is offering 700 copies of the book to schools for the blind.
Judging by the number of people flocking to the fair, it would seem that reading is alive and well in Algeria.
But Lazhari said that Algerian publishers face many difficulties. He and others in his trade maintain that many more readers and buyers than can be seen at this fair will be needed for publishing to remain healthy in Algeria.
"We're involved in 'activist' publishing," he told Magharebia. "Most titles are only printed a thousand copies at a time, due to market constraints."
In addition to the display of books, the fair's programme includes a number of debates on literary and political subjects connected with Algeria, the Maghreb, the Arab world and Africa. In particular, there will be a tribute to Algerian writer Kateb Yacine on the 20th anniversary of his death. Another event will honour novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi. The Palestinian question is also high on the agenda, with many authors present from the Occupied Territories.
Yet another event will pay homage to the French philosopher Francis Jeanson, founder of a French support network for Algerian patriots during their national war for independence. The latter event will include a screening of a documentary titled "The Last Meeting with Jeanson".
Other presentations are examining "Novelists and the Historic Personality of Emir Abdelkader" and "Amazigh-ness: Teaching Meets Publishing". The book fair is also hosting two discussions on reading in the Maghreb, including "Does Literary Criticism Exist in the Maghreb Countries?".
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احمد Posted 18 days ago
The international book fair didn't live up to expectations, especially after the change of the fair site from the town of Sanaoubar Al Bahri to the complex of Mohamed Boudiaf in the centre of the capital. For this reason, I haven't gone. I read in the papers that this fair faced many problems, such as damage to books on display as a result of humidity, which affected visitors as well, because other books were presented in tents which cost the Treasury about $2 million. Anyway, Algerian cultural life is very poor. There should be projects to build new institutes and publishing houses that contribute to enriching Algerian culture, not to presenting books at high prices. That way, citizens just go to watch.
احمد Posted 15 days ago
In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful. This is a farce not an international fair as they say. We the Algerian people are the people who are known for a high level of culture. But unfortunately, it has begun to imitate people who don't read or write but dance. As for the fair, it is not up to the level we used to see. It is a pity for the Algerian people. Many people used to talk about its men and women who are an example. When we used to talk, they listen to us. When they decide, they applaud.
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