The cultural directorate of the wilaya of Relizane had issued its favorable opinion to host the 1st National Book Fair, according to its letter referenced 939/2024, signed on November 25, 2024.
The participation of around ten publishing houses is planned, we cite, among others, Casbah, APIC, Barzakh, Samar, Les Presses du Chéliff, the cultural association Isabelle Eberhardt, Talantikit, around forty authors , including those from the wilaya of Relizane, researchers from the Social and Cultural Anthropology Research Center and researchers from the University of Relizane.
Despite the sending of the organizers' letter, despite the favorable opinion of the wilaya of Relizane on the one hand and on the other hand the written commitment of the organizers to rigorously respect the terms of decree of 21-265, published in OJ No. 49 of June 22, 2021, which sets out the terms and conditions for granting prior authorization relating to the organization of book events intended for the public, the services of the Ministry of Culture and Arts have not not yet deigned to respond to the mail. The organizers are disappointed by the silence of the authorities.
Given the urgency, the organizers had requested their partner, the Relizane culture department, by letter dated December 17, 2024, in order to possibly intervene with their supervisory authority so as not to miss the cultural event, which must be held for the first time in Relizane, from January 18 to 21, 2025. The notification from the Ministry of Culture and Arts did not reach the wilaya of Relizane. Its reception will have enabled the organizers to finalize the various steps necessary for holding the 1st edition of the Book Fair.
Meetings followed by debates on subjects concerning the situation of publishing and co-publishing, on literature intended for young people, on questions relating to the actions to be taken to interest young people and attract them to reading, the publishing of books in foreign languages, these are the themes which will be the subject of meetings between professionals.
Furthermore, according to an organizer, a program is planned to accompany the National Book Fair in Relizane. It revolves around various cultural activities in the plural, including the screening of films and documentaries, conferences, the exhibition of historical works, conferences and visits to important sites in the city of Relizane.
