The city of Cotonou, Benin, is set to welcome the fourth edition of the International Book and Arts Festival of Benin (FILAB) from October 8-10, 2026. This year's festival, themed "Literature, Cultural Mediation, and Promotion of Peace," will bring together authors, publishers, readers, artists, researchers, book professionals, and cultural actors for a diverse program of events. The festival aims to highlight the role of books, writers, and artists in understanding societies, rapprochement of communities, and building dialogue.
The festival has been organized with the support of several notable personalities from the worlds of politics, culture, literature, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Irène Adam épouse Ogouwale, a Beninese deputy and first rapporteur of the Planning, Equipment, and Production Commission, has been designated as the National Patron. Gilles Grimm, an entrepreneur and investor, has been named Honorary President of the festival. The international dimension of the event is being led by Anne-Rita Touré, an Ambassador of Universal Peace and President-Founder of the Alliance Éducative et Solidaire pour la Paix Internationale (AESPI), who has been designated as the International Patron.
The festival will feature a range of events, including literary meetings, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, contests, performances, book signings, and professional meetings. The event aims to promote literature, reading, and artistic creation, while also encouraging dialogue between cultures and generations. The festival's program includes several contests, such as the Grand Prix international de Slam FILAB 2026, which is open to participants aged 16 and above, and the Concours de Nouvelles and Concours de Langues nationales.
The festival also aims to promote young talent, with a range of events and activities designed specifically for young readers, authors, and artists. The Grande Dictée Nationale FILAB, which was organized in August 2026 with the support of the French Embassy in Benin, is one example of this focus on youth. The festival's organizers hope that the event will help to promote a love of reading and writing among young people, while also encouraging them to participate in the cultural and artistic life of their communities.
The festival's program includes a range of events and activities that are open to the public and professionals alike. Literary meetings and book signings will provide opportunities for readers to meet authors and discover new works. Conferences, panels, and workshops will offer spaces for reflection, learning, and transmission around literature, arts, and culture. The festival will also feature performances and artistic expressions, highlighting the connections between literature, visual arts, orality, and contemporary creation.
The International Book and Arts Festival of Benin (FILAB) has been organized with the goal of promoting literature, cultural mediation, and peace. The festival's organizers hope that the event will help to strengthen cultural exchanges between Benin and other African and Francophone countries, while also promoting a culture of dialogue and peace. The festival's focus on youth and intergenerational dialogue reflects its commitment to building a more inclusive and participatory cultural landscape.
The FILAB 2026 festival is expected to attract participants from a range of backgrounds and countries. The event's organizers hope that it will help to promote a greater understanding of the importance of literature and culture in building more cohesive and peaceful societies. By bringing together authors, artists, and cultural actors from around the world, the festival aims to create a platform for dialogue, exchange, and creativity.
Key points
- The festival's theme, "Literature, Cultural Mediation, and Promotion of Peace," reflects its commitment to promoting a culture of dialogue and understanding.
- The event has been organized with the support of several notable personalities from the worlds of politics, culture, literature, and entrepreneurship.
- The festival's program includes a range of events and activities designed to promote young talent and encourage participation in the cultural and artistic life of communities.
