16th Edition of SILA: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Urges Young People to “Read to Build”

First Lady Dominique Ouattara took part on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the second day of the 16th edition of the Abidjan International Book Fair (SILA), held at the Abidjan Exhibition Center. The day was dedicated to young people, who turned out in large numbers to celebrate books and reading.

Officially opened on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, this 16th edition of the Abidjan International Book Fair is centered on the theme: “Read to Build.” Scheduled from April 28 to May 2, 2026, the event has generated significant enthusiasm, with 130 participants, compared to 80 at the previous edition. Lebanon and the city of Bouaké are the guests of honor, offering the public a rich program of book signings, literary gatherings, and debates.

On this day dedicated to youth, thousands of students from schools across Abidjan flocked to the event, reflecting young people’s growing interest in reading.

Deeply committed to education, First Lady Dominique Ouattara used this platform to issue a passionate call to promote reading among younger generations. Highlighting this year’s theme, she emphasized the essential role of books in intellectual and civic development. “Encouraging our children to read means giving them the means to develop their critical thinking and contribute to our country’s development,” she stated. Addressing the young people directly, she invited them to seize the opportunity offered by SILA to explore the literary world and engage with authors, noting that “every book is a door opening onto new knowledge.”

The First Lady also welcomed the gradual expansion of SILA to cities in the interior of the country and internationally, particularly praising Lebanon’s participation. She views this momentum as essential for cultural outreach and the sharing of knowledge.

During her remarks, she highlighted the initiatives of the Children of Africa Foundation, particularly the bookmobiles—these mobile libraries—as well as the multimedia rooms and school libraries that provide hundreds of thousands of children, including those in rural areas, with free access to books. “The Foundation’s bookmobiles are true treasure troves of knowledge and learning. Children have a lot of fun there while learning. (…) In addition to its bookmobiles, the Foundation has also built and equipped numerous multimedia rooms, as well as school and local libraries across the country, to instill a taste for reading in our children and young people,” she emphasized.

The patron of this edition, Mr. Ally Coulibaly, Grand Chancellor of the National Order and patron of this 16th edition, praised the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to books and reading. He noted that bookmobiles are effectively helping to address the shortage of libraries in many parts of the country. He also paid a heartfelt tribute to Béchir Ben Yahmed for his contribution to the development of journalism in Africa.

For her part, the Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Ms. Françoise Remarck, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady for her commitment to  culture. She revealed that the First Lady had purchased books worth 3 million CFA francs, thereby demonstrating her support for authors and publishing houses.

Mrs. Dominique Ouattara’s visit also featured direct discussions with young participants about the importance of reading. The ceremony concluded with a tour of the booths, giving the First Lady the opportunity to explore the diversity of the literary works on display.