As part of the 125th anniversary of the Ethio-French relations, the Alliance Ethio-Française of Addis Ababa, the first cultural institution established in the Ethiopian capital in 1907, organized its first youth book fair in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Ethiopia.
This event will bring together hundreds of people around their passion for reading as well as
multiple fun activities, according to the press statement from the French Embassy. “During this unique event dedicated to children’s books and promoting multilingualism, the Alliance Ethio-Française will welcome nearly 19 authors, 21 illustrators, 6 publishing houses and 5 storytellers from Ethiopia and French speaking African countries,” it said.
“The Ethiopian artistic companies Nu Chika Enabuka and Fekat Circus will also provide various entertainment shows. In addition, we will raise funds for “Ethiopia Reads”, an Ethiopian NGO that is the most prominent promoter of public reading in the country, through the sale of ruffle tickets. Finally, the event will be concluded by the exceptional arrival of the female puppet company “Bouam” from Togo for the pleasure audiences ranging from children to adults,” the statement stated.
“A one-of-a-kind multimedia exhibition “KUBUNI” presenting the history of comics in Africa will be presented. Comics art was already born several centuries ago in Ethiopia, particular within religious iconography represented through magic scrolls,” it said.
“On Wednesday 14th, 2022 at 4:30 p.m., the Alliance Ethio-Française will inaugurate its newly renovated library “Amde Akalework”. The library is named after the illustrious former Alliance Ethio-Française president who officiated for nearly 22 years and was a member of our institution for more than 45 years. We will have the pleasure of inaugurating the new youth section, the volume of which has almost doubled with nearly 6,000 books distributed by age group. The adult section will be renovated in 2023,” the press statement indicated.