Algiers international book fair at exhibition centre

The International Book Fair of Algiers (Sila), which is scheduled from September 20 to 29 at the Exhibition Centre in Pins Maritimes, has now a permanent administration in charge of managing the event, said Wednesday the Fair new commissioner Hamidou Messaoudi. "The Ministry of Culture has decided to endow the Sila with a permanent administration through the creation of a subsidiary of the ENAG (National Company of Graphic Arts) responsible for the management of Sila over the year, instead of a commission that handles only during the duration of the Fair," said CEO of ENAG Messaoudi. This decision is motivated by "the level reached by the Sila which became the third or fourth show in the world" and a willingness to "professionalize" the show, he said. Subsidiary of the ENAG will also be responsible to organize four regional shows for Algerian editing announced Messaoudi. The return of Sila at the Exhibition Palace, after his transfer in 2009 at the Olympic Stadium Mohammed Boudiaf, is described as "an opportunity" with the new Commissioner, because it allows for better logistics, including public transportation thanks to its proximity to the tramway station and the presence of a car park with a capacity of 2,000 places. Messaoudi expressed the wish to see ETUSA (Enterprise of urban and suburban transport of Algiers) to further strengthen transport to Pins Maritimes, to encourage the public to use means of transport The 17th International Book Fair of Algiers, which coincides with the celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of Algeria independence ’’is placed under the slogan "My book, my freedom." It will be attended by 600 publishers from 41 countries. A tribute will be paid to two great literary Algerian figures Ahmed Reda Houhou and Mouloud Feraoun. Conferences will be held during the Fair and discuss the themes of the history of the national movement, the liberation war, of literary and artistic creation in Algeria since 1962. These conferences will be led by writers like Rachid Boudjedra, Wassiny Laâredj and Yasmina Khadra.