Le Salon Interculturel du Livre de l'Alberta (SILAB)
🌟 SILAB Calgary/Edmonton rescheduled to fall 2025
Exciting Journey Ahead: SILAB Edmonton/Calgary Now Happening in Fall 2025
Dear friends, partners, authors, volunteers, and community champions,
We’re reaching out with an important update: the 2025 editions of the Alberta Intercultural Book Fair (SILAB), originally planned for Edmonton and Calgary, are being rescheduled to fall 2025.
This shift, due to factors beyond our control, allows us the opportunity to reimagine the event with even more intention, depth, and impact. Together with our partner, ACFA Régionale de Calgary, we are working diligently to craft an inspiring experience that truly celebrates intercultural literature.
We are so grateful for your unwavering support, your patience, and your passion. Every one of you—authors, volunteers, partners, and friends—brings life to this beautiful movement.
SILAB continues to be a celebration of diverse stories and vibrant voices, and we can’t wait to gather again, stronger and more connected than ever.
Stay tuned—great things are on the way!
With heart,
The KAYANOU Team
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Let’s Celebrate Literature, Diversity, and Culture!
The Alberta Intercultural Book Fair (SILAB) is more than an event—it’s a vibrant movement dedicated to uplifting the voices of emerging authors, librettists, songwriters, and composers. Hosted by KAYANOU, SILAB offers a dynamic platform where artists from all backgrounds can share their creativity, stories, and cultural heritage with a broader audience.
Through book launches, readings, workshops, and artistic showcases, SILAB fosters meaningful connections between creators and the community. It provides invaluable exposure for new talent and promotes rich literary exchanges that transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries. SILAB also strengthens the local literary ecosystem by encouraging dialogue, inclusion, and innovation in the arts.
Each edition of SILAB highlights Alberta’s diverse voices, while celebrating our collective power to learn from each other and grow together. Whether you're a reader, writer, educator, or cultural enthusiast, SILAB invites you to be part of a joyful and inspiring experience.
📚✨ Come join us in supporting creativity, celebrating diversity, and building a stronger, more inclusive literary community!
#SILAB2025 #CelebrateDiversity #SupportEmergingWriters #LiteraryInspiration
Upcoming Events
📚✨ SILAB 2025 is coming to Calgary & Edmonton! ✨📚
Join us in celebrating literature, culture, and diversity!
📍 Calgary – La Maison Rouleau
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1880, 1st Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2S 0B8
📍 Edmonton – Campus Saint-Jean
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8406 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury (91 Street), Edmonton, AB
🎤 Meet emerging authors, librettists, and composers
Explore books, music, workshops, and cultural exhibits
Celebrate the richness of our intercultural voices
Let’s elevate creativity and community together!
#SILAB2025 #CelebrateDiversity #YEGEvents #YYCEvents
Discover the literary talents enriching our community!
2024 SILAB IMPACT
HONOURED
Judith Juste's poem has been selected for the 11th and 12th-grade curriculum at Maurice-Lavallée School.
Judith Juste
This autobiography recounts my journey from Camp-Perrin, Haiti, to Montreal in 1990, embracing new beginnings and growth through overwhelming challenges faced.
Gary Papillon
Gary Papillon, originally from Haiti, is a passionate author, writer, and educator. Explore his works to appreciate his contributions to promoting reading and literature.
Carol Offi
Fun d’Ecrire, Français Intensif, founded by Mme Carol OFFI, leverages her media and communication background to enhance Francophone children's French skills with focused, attentive sessions.
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Jocelyne Verret-Chiasson
A novelist, poet, and playwright, Jocelyne Verret, our co-speaker, has been active in Alberta since 1976. She promotes Francophone culture and teaches French at the University of Alberta.
SILAB 2024
(Authors Who Participated)
Albert Kazadi Tshakatumba
Albert Kazadi Tshakatumba, married and a grandfather, teaches in Edmonton, directs Akulass, and publishes works on international relations and logistics. Enjoys jogging and reading.
Robert Suraki Watum
Writer, playwright, poet, and actor, Robert Suraki Watum, our main speaker this year, has authored award-winning plays and poetry collections. His book "Florence Bandu Emeneya: Une Vie, un destin" was released in November 2019 in Ohio, USA. His works are internationally published and featured at many cultural events.
Pierrette Requier
I am a bilingual poet from Alberta who has loved poetry since a young age. My writing reflects my roots and the beauty of the French language.
Amson Saintimé
Amson Saintimé, a Haitian-born music virtuoso and motivational speaker, enriches communities through four decades as a bassist, music teacher, and producer, inspiring with his cultural diversity and motivational writing.
Successful 2024 SILAB Book Fair Sparks Enthusiasm for 2025 Edition
The book fair took place from June 4 to 6 at Campus Saint-Jean, featuring ten authors. Partners included ACFA, Ribbon Rouge, RAFA, the Quebec Secretariat, EPL, the Alliance Française, Canavua, and Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta. We welcomed 150 visitors, with 80 to 100 participating in various activities, assisted by 19 enthusiastic volunteers. Feedback was extremely positive, with attendees praising the diversity of works and the quality of workshops. A French teacher from Maurice Lavallée High School was so impressed that she requested to use a poem for her next year's curriculum. Funders expressed interest in supporting the 2025 edition, promising an expanded program with additional workshops and conferences to further enrich the literary community.