The 10th edition of the Conakry International Youth Book Fair is set to take place from November 4-7, 2026, in Conakry, Guinea. The event, which marks a decade of promoting reading among young people, will focus on the theme "Building Together Our Future Reader Societies". The fair aims to bring together book professionals, media, and cultural actors to discuss strategies for increasing access to reading materials for young people.
The event was launched in 2017 during Conakry's tenure as World Book Capital. According to Aliou Sow, director general of Gandal Editions and president of the National Association of Guinean Publishers, the fair was created to address the lack of literary events focused on youth reading interests in Guinea and other French-speaking African countries. Over the past decade, the fair has grown to become a major event in the region.
This year's theme is designed to be inclusive and federative, with a focus on promoting reading pleasure and access to books for young people. The event will also explore the connection between reading and the Simandou program, a major development project in Guinea that is expected to have a significant impact on education and culture. Aliou Sow emphasized the importance of working together to find solutions to increase access to books and reading materials for young people.
The fair will also promote bilingualism and multilingualism, with several books presented in French and local languages such as soussou, poular, and malinké. The event aims to preserve and promote Guinea's linguistic heritage, with Aliou Sow highlighting the importance of valuing and preserving national languages. Several books will be launched during the event, including some that are bi- and plurilingual.
Schools will play a significant role in the event, with organizers aiming to attract large numbers of students through animations, inter-school reading competitions, and book vouchers for young readers. Aliou Sow emphasized the importance of involving schools in the event, with the goal of promoting reading habits among young people. Several public and private schools are expected to participate in the event.
The French Embassy in Guinea will support the event, providing mobility, logistical, and communication assistance. Majda Rachik, a representative of the embassy, expressed confidence in the event's success, citing its potential to mobilize different audiences, including students, parents, and education professionals. The embassy has been supporting the fair since its inception.
The event is expected to have a significant impact on promoting reading and literature among young people in Guinea. With its focus on inclusivity, bilingualism, and multilingualism, the fair aims to promote a culture of reading and learning in the country. The event will provide a platform for book professionals, media, and cultural actors to discuss strategies for increasing access to reading materials for young people.
Key points
- The 10th edition of the Conakry International Youth Book Fair will take place from November 4-7, 2026.
- The event aims to promote reading pleasure and access to books for young people.
- The fair will promote bilingualism and multilingualism, with several books presented in French and local languages.
