Nearly 10,000 visitors were able to enjoy the many activities offered during the 40th edition of the Côte-Nord Book Fair. An edition that will have exceeded the expectations of organizers and exhibitors.
Endless smiles, children running around like in a candy store, passing on the passion for reading to young people. This is what I will remember from this year
says the general director of the Salon, Mélanie Devost.
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The general director of the Côte-Nord Book Fair, Mélanie Devost (archives).
Photo: Jean-François Grenier
With several new features, such as the Manga Zone and the Wall of Creativity, the event was able to pique the curiosity of participants.
We are trying to find new ways to give people a taste for reading. We draw inspiration from what other book fairs are doing to offer North Coast residents a little something new and to remain innovative in our own way too.
says Ms. Devost.
More than 80 authors, including 24 from the North Coast, took part in the event, under the honorary presidency of Zachary Richard.
Several favorites
A duel of poets
was also particularly appreciated by the public. Alexandre Dostie, Zachary Richard and Nord-Côtière Natasha Kanapé Fontaine took part in this oratorical contest relating to their respective region.
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Singer-songwriter Zachary Richard was in Sept-Iles to present his first novel.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Catherine Paquette
There was the same enthusiasm for the Poetic Cabaret, during which the texts of the winners of the writing competition were read to the public. The three winners of the competition, which was aimed at young people aged 16 to 25, were Gabriel Cormier and Gabriel Picotin, from Sept-Îles, as well as Lyann Canuel, from Baie-Comeau.
The audience was really there for the activities on stage. There were more than 100 people at the poets’ duel. It gave you chills.
Still with the aim of encouraging reading and writing among young people, around thirty primary and secondary schools were visited by authors from the region. More than 2,700 students were able to benefit from these visits.
This is ultimately our mission. This is the kind of thing that the Book Fair allows and there is beauty that circulates all over the city and in the region afterwards
adds Mélanie Devost proudly.
In the coming weeks, the organization will begin its strategic thinking to determine the programming of the 41st Côte-Nord Book Fair, which will take place from April 24 to 47, 2025.
