Le Salon Interculturel du Livre de l'Alberta (SILAB)
SILAB 2026 — Edmonton
Writing, the imprint of our stories
Join KAYANOU for three days celebrating books, memory, and cultural diversity through youth workshops, panels, exhibitions, public readings, music, and artistic performances.
October 8–10, 2026
Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta
8406 91 Street NW, Edmonton
Opening ceremony: Thursday, October 8, 5–7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
Also in Calgary: November 5–7, 2026.
FEATURED ARTIST — SILAB 2026
HONOURED
Judith Juste's poem has been selected for the 11th and 12th-grade curriculum at Maurice-Lavallée School.
Suzanne de Courville Nicol
Suzanne de Courville Nicol is a Calgary-area community advocate and local-history researcher. Since the 1980s, she has promoted bilingualism, French-language education, and Alberta's Francophone heritage, including Rouleauville, Calgary's historic Francophone district.
Roger Fodjo
A Cameroonian-born writer based in Edmonton, Roger Fodjo is a novelist and French-English-Spanish translator-interpreter. His books include J ’ai six fois vécu, Les poubelles du palais, and Prête-moi ton destin.
Wanda Jemly
Born in Cameroon and now based in British Columbia, Wanda Jemly is a storyteller, children's author, television host, and producer. Her books include Oh, Achouka!, and she presents interactive storytelling programs for schools, libraries, festivals, and cultural organizations.
Judith Juste
This autobiography recounts my journey from Camp-Perrin, Haiti, to Montreal in 1990, embracing new beginnings and growth through overwhelming challenges faced.
Kristina Kamba Kasengulu
Kristina Kamba Kasengulu is a young Edmonton author. She wrote My Miami 1992 during her early teens; it was published in 2024. Active in dance, music, theatre, and choir, she writes to encourage young readers.
Safia Moke
Confirmed participant in SILAB 2026. Her biography and works must be confirmed with her directly before publication.
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.
Sathya Rao
A University of Alberta professor, Sathya Rao specializes in translation studies, Francophone literatures, and minority media. A founder of Alternative Francophone, he received the 2024 Roger Motut Prize for contributions to Franco-Albertan literature and history.
Salamane Yameogo
Salamane Yameogo is an Edmonton-based professional, entrepreneur, and founder of Talentree. He works in leadership, strategy, and organizational development, and supports community initiatives that strengthen relationships among Black Albertans, African immigrants, and Indigenous communities.
Alice Prophète
A lecturer and researcher at the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean, Alice Prophète studies inclusive and intercultural education. Born in Haiti, she is also a novelist whose books explore exile, identity, and new beginnings.
Moïse Yomi
Confirmed participant in SILAB 2026. His biography, works, and portrait must be confirmed with him directly before publication. He should not be confused with the poet and publisher Moïse Mougnan.
Gisèle Villeneuve
Born in Montréal and based in Calgary, Gisèle Villeneuve is a bilingual writer, translator, playwright, and radio creator. Her award-winning books explore movement, mountain landscapes, language, and hybrid forms across French and English.
Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire
Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire is a bilingual Alberta singer-songwriter blending folk, jazz, blues, rock, and electroacoustic music. A two-time Western Canadian Music Award recipient, she also works in artistic direction, media arts, and video production.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Albert Tshiakatumba
Confirmed participant in SILAB 2026. Biography, works, and portrait forthcoming.
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.
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.
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.
SILAB 2024 — Highlights and Community Impact
The 2024 SILAB brought together ten authors at Campus Saint-Jean from June 4 to 6. Around 150 visitors attended, with 80–100 people taking part in activities supported by 19 volunteers. Guests praised the diversity of the works and the quality of the workshops. Partners included ACFA, Ribbon Rouge, RAFA, the Secrétariat du Québec, EPL, Alliance Française, Canavua, and Campus Saint-Jean. One lasting outcome was the selection of a Judith Juste poem for use in Grade 11 and 12 classes at Maurice-Lavallée School.