Algiers International Book Fair, the Arab Spring as backdrop
ALGIERS- The change in the Arab countries will be the backdrop for the 16th International Book Fair of Algiers (Sila), which opens Wednesday with Lebanon as guest of honour, said an organizer.
- "The change in Arab countries is the engine theme of our conferences," said Mustapha Madi, director of cultural activities at SILA and professor of sociology.
- The Arab Spring invites itself de facto in this edition under the theme "the book delivers."
- Among the scheduled conference: "The Arab Spring in the Arabic novel," "The Spring of the Arab peoples," Writing and the Arab context," or "The role of Arab women."
- SILA also organizes an international symposium on the Arab Spring, which runs from September 28 to October 2 at the Hamma National Library in Algiers
- "Lebanon is in the spotlight this year and the Lebanese Minister of Culture Kabi Leon will attend the inauguration of SILA to be made by the President of the Republic at Boudiaf Complex in Algiers, said Madi.
- Twenty-two authors, poets and essayists from Lebanon will participate in this Book Fair.
- In addition to Lebanon, several authors from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, South Africa, France, Russia or Spain will host conferences alongside the Algerians.
- Among them, the Lebanese Skander Habash, Joumana Haddad, Alioua Sobh, Rachid Daif, Youmna ugly, Moroccan Azzedine Tazi, Egyptian Salh Fadhl, Tunisian Abdellatif Belkacem, South African Breyten Breytenbach, French Dominique Baudis and Edwy Plenel, Russian German Sadulayev and Spanish Augustin Fernando Mallo.
- More than 521 publishers from 32 countries are participating in this 16th edition of Sila.
- Egypt, who did not attend the previous edition because of tension caused end of 2009 around a football game, will be back in force this year with the presence of hundreds of publishers.
- "The 2012 edition will be turned to Asia with authors who come from India, Indonesia, Malaysia," said Mr. Madi.
- The Algiers International Book Fair is one of the main cultural events in the country. It will be held until October 1.
- Ennaharonline/ M. O.