A book fair more dynamic than ever is coming to Montreal

From November 23 to 27, more than 2,000 authors await us at the Salon du livre de Montréal. An event not to be missed, no matter what kind of books you like.

The Salon du livre de Montréal is in its 45th edition this year. And all we can say is that he is doing better than ever! It is not by chance that its organizers have decided to give it the theme “Take body”.

“We found that this theme was promising, explains Olivier Gougeon, general manager of the Salon du livre de Montréal. “To take shape” means to inhabit a space, to be present somewhere – despite the COVID, last year we managed to slip through the mesh and be present at the Palais! –, but also being inhabited by an emotion, a character or a book that you haven’t had time to finish. »

“Without being omnipresent, this theme has inspired the programming and is reflected in the activities,” continues Olivier Gougeon. Both very precise and very diffuse, it is an anchor to which visitors can cling as they wish. »

A good thing, because really, there is a lot to see and do!

A host of activities

If we had to list and describe all the activities that await us at the Show, we probably wouldn’t have enough of the day to do it! But with the help ofOlivier Gougeonwe were able to select a few.

What’s new to watch

Surprise readings will add a little magic to the Salon. At any time, a novelist, an actor, a playwright or an essayist can indeed appear at the bend of an alley to start reading texts. Nice, right?

Another brand new thing is the Braindate Book Club. At the heart of the Salon, a space has been specially set up to welcome readers who wish to discuss a particular subject, whether it is a novel, a literary genre, a writer, etc Once there, they can talk quietly for 15-20 minutes.

“There is also the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which is coming this year to introduce the Montreal public to Italian comics,” explains Olivier Gougeon. There will be among others the illustrator Lorenzo Mattotti who will be there. It’s wonderful what he does! »

Espace Montréal-Nord is also worth mentioning, especially if you are curious to get to know its creators.

“In 2019, we had the Saint-Michel district, recalls Olivier Gougeon. We want to connect more with our neighborhoods and promote the talents of the people who live there. »

On the side of the round tables

• When the music resounds in the pageswhich brings together music-loving writers and musicians with a passion for words. When and where : November 23 at 3 p.m. at the Espace littéraire.
• write for themwith authors Chrystine Brouillet, Carole David and Geneviève Blouin, all of whom deplore the fate reserved for certain women. When and where : November 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the Agora.
• Travel from one book to anotheran activity that highlights works that allow us to travel the world. When and where : November 26 at 3 p.m. at the Espace littéraire.
• The community as the nerve centera round table that invites us to take a fresh look at the community to which we belong. When and where : November 27 at 12:15 p.m. at the Espace littéraire.

On the side of the cabarets

• Cabaret of Living Memory, a show that pays homage to local feathers that have soared to the sky over the past few months. Actress Émilie Bibeau will read texts by Marie-Claire Blais, François Blais, Serge Bouchard and Simon Roy. When and where : November 23 at 7:15 p.m. at the Agora.
• Cabaret of breath foundto hear everything James Hyndman, Brigitte Vaillancourt, Éric Gougeon, Pierre Lefebvre, Mykalle Bielinski, Élise Turcotte, Sophie-Anne Landry and Mélikah Abdelmoumen have to say. When and where : November 24 at 7 p.m. at the Agora.
• Cabaret of languages, Here, the floor is given to the authors whose book has been translated. When and where : November 25 at 7:15 p.m. at the Agora.
• Cabaret of curiositiesa show that promises: all the works presented are totally off the beaten track. When and where : November 26 at 7 p.m. at the Agora.

On the side of major interviews

• Daniel Belanger will lean on Heavy weightshis new collection of poetry, on November 23 at 4:30 p.m. at the Espace littéraire.
• The Haitian writer Makenzy Orcel will be at the Espace littéraire on November 24 at noon to talk aboutA human sumwho was a finalist at Goncourt 2022.

• We can hear Catherine Ethierwho had a huge success with his first novel, on November 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Espace littéraire.
• The English-Montreal writer Heather O’Neill will allow us to learn more about his phantasmagorical universe on November 25 at 6 p.m. at the Agora.
• Passing through Montreal, the Italian-Swiss writer and essayist Giuliano da Empoli will be at the Espace littéraire on November 25 at 5:15 p.m. to present The Kremlin Magewhich won the 2022 Grand Prix du roman de l’Académie française.

• Chloe Sainte-Marie and the poet and geographer John Morissetco-authors of the album-book cursed silencewill meet on the stage of the Espace littéraire on November 27 at 1:30 p.m.

For the young

• The great reading aloud game at the Salon du livre de Montréala contest for 6th grade students in Greater Montreal schools. When and where : November 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Agora.
• Saving the planet one book at a timean animation raising children’s awareness of the importance of ecological gestures to take care of the environment. When and where : November 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Espace jeunesse Desjardins.
• Introduction to Manga drawingto learn how to draw the faces of manga characters. When and where : November 26 at 10 a.m. in the Manga Zone.
• Barbada showwhich will appeal to young people aged 6 to 9 who love great stories. When and where : November 27 at 11 a.m. at the Espace jeunesse Desjardins.

Not to mention the dedications!

Who says Montreal Book Fair says dedications. And we are particularly spoiled this year, since some 3,000 signing sessions have been organized. Our very short selection:

• Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette : November 27 at 1 p.m.
• Giuliano da Empoli : November 25 at 6:30 p.m., November 26 at 2 p.m. and November 27 at 11 a.m.

• Michael John : November 25 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and November 26 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Marie-Renee Lavoie : November 25 at 3 p.m., November 26 at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and November 27 at 12:30 p.m.

• Dany Laferriere : November 25 at 5 p.m., November 26 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., November 27 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Perrine LeBlanc: November 25 at 2:30 p.m. and November 26 at 11 a.m.
• Heather O’Neil: November 24 at 6:30 p.m., November 25 at 7 p.m. and November 26 at 1 p.m.
• Makenzy Orcel: November 24 at 1 p.m., November 25 at 3:30 p.m. and November 26 at 2 p.m.
• Bruno Peltier: November 25 at 7 p.m., November 26 at 1:30 p.m. and November 27 at 3 p.m.
• Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt: November 24 and 25 at 6 p.m. and November 27 at 1 p.m.

►To discover the entire program of the Show, visit the site salondulivredemontreal.com