The 17th edition of Algeia International Book Fair Beginning Thursday, the Palais des Expositions in Algiers will host the 17th Algeria International Book Fair, from September 20-29. This year the book fair coincides with the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence. Supervisors on the sidelines of the book fair will perform literary, scientific and cinematic activities during suits the anniversary. "My book ... My life" was chosen as the theme of the book fair, which compliments to a major cultural event in Algeria.
Head of this year's book fair, Hamadou Massoudi said: "We will allow Algeria to be the guest of itself, as we have dedicated a hall to display everything that is related to the glorious revolution."
Massoudi confirmed that the exhibition will open its doors to all the Algerian publishing houses. Nevertheless, a problem remains as the publishers insist on displaying their books in the central hall. This is impossible because the hall’s area is limited to about 8000 square meters, and there are more than 250 publishing houses.
An official at the literary department of the Ministry of Culture Yasser Arafat Qana said, more than 300 books have been banned in contrast to 3000 books in 2002.
The 17th edition of the Algerian International Book Fair will honour martyrs of writing such as Reda Houhou and Mouloud Feraoun, in addition to the most prominent writers such as Rabah Belamri, Rashid Bojdrh, and Yasmina Khadra. The Scientific Seminar will take place on September 28 and 29  "Algeria’s history and literature."
This year 41 countries will participate in the book fair, compared to 32 countries last year. Regarding the publishers, the Arab Publishers Union has selected 632 Arab and Western publishing houses.