26 September, 2009

The spectre of boycott from foreign publishers looms over this year’s Algiers International Book Fair due to take place as from October, 27 through November 6 because of the authorities’ decision to displace the event to the 5th July Olympic Stadium, upper Algiers.

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This unprecedented move has sparked anger among the Algerian publishers, who used to exhibit their literary products in the “Exhibition Palace”, eastern Algiers, and deepened dissentions that may affect the biggest cultural event in Algeria.
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In a declaration to “Echourok” the event’s commissioner Ismail Ameziane, yesterday revealed that the authorities have decided to relocate the exhibition to the Olympic Stadium, while in the past, the event was hosted by the Algerian Exhibitions Company “ SAFEX” located in eastern Algiers.
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He added that the decision was made by the ministry of culture and preparations are well underway after the completion of the administrative procedures in relation to the participation of the exhibitors last August.
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As to the problem of the location’s size that will eventually prevent professionals from exhibiting, M Ameziane declared “ I officially declare that the International Book Fair will not be organized inside the at the Dome premises but at the Olympic stadium courtyard whose total size is estimated at 14 thousand meter squares, which largely sufficient to host 170 publishing houses”.
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In addition, he added “ the location comprises a huge parking lot and is situated nearby several universities helping thus thousands of students to be at the core of the event”.

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