Africa Newsroom — LIBREVILLE, 7 April 2026 (AGP) – The second edition of the Libreville Youth Book Fair (SLJL), themed “Reading the World of Tomorrow, “opened on Tuesday, 7 April, at the Libreville Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by several political and cultural personalities, including the Minister of State for National Education, Camélia Ntoutoume Leclercq, the Ambassador of Cameroon to Gabon, Edith Félicie Noëlle Ondoua Ateba, the guest of honor, Libreville Mayor Pierre Mathieu Obame Etoughe, and many other figures, as reported by the Gabonese Press Agency.
In her opening speech, Minister Leclercq commended the initiative of APLA and its president, Sylvie Ntsame, the director general of Ntsame Editions, for their pivotal role in supporting public authorities. She emphasized President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s ambition to prioritize education and give young literature its rightful place in educational curricula. The Minister also expressed hope that the fair would become a true hub for exchanges. “The book is a gateway to Gabon, as well as to Africa and the world, “she stated.
Libreville Mayor Pierre Mathieu Obame Etoughe highlighted the importance of teaching young people to respect the environment. “Teaching a young person to plant trees, avoid littering, or maintain a clean surroundings is sowing seeds for responsible citizenship and successful patriotism, “he noted.
Sylvie Ntsame, founder of Ntsame Editions, reminded that young literature, according to the Larousse encyclopedia, encompasses all works intended for young people from early childhood to adolescence. She emphasized that these books are essential pedagogical and cultural tools. “Under the theme ‘Reading the World of Tomorrow,’this fair gives us the opportunity to reflect on future challenges, as perceived in the francophone sub-Saharan young literature, “she.
Ambassador Edith Félicie Noëlle Ondoua Ateba, representing the Cameroonian Minister of Arts and Culture, spoke to honor Cameroon as the guest of honor. “This is an homage to the richness of Cameroonian literature and a bridge to strengthen cultural cooperation between our two countries, which share common values, “she.
For this second edition, eleven countries gathered in Libreville, with Cameroon as the guest of honor.
Source: Agpgabon
