Towards a new record for the Quebec International Book Fair

The 2024 edition of the Quebec International Book Fair (SILQ), which concluded Sunday, was a huge success, its organizers said. The attendance rate will exceed 2023, a record year.

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“The response from the public has been great […]. Melanie Pelletier, director general of SILQ, was delighted hours before the end of the five-day event at the Quebec City Convention Centre.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

goodwill

Although the organization did not have all the official figures on Sunday, it confirmed that the 2023 attendance rate, or 74,000 people, had been exceeded this year. “We are very happy,” says the general director.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

New features such as pajama mornings for young audiences and an event that brings together many teachers called “Transition Evenings” have worked well and she promises to return next year.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

Also, comic book fans were at the Salon this year as well.

“It's been a big year! This weekend, there was more traffic than last year, a record year. I think there was a good factor of “weather and public interest” that combined to make it a success. […]. People are really interested in comics,” says Thomas-Louis Cote of the Quebec BD Festival, which takes place at SILQ, among other places in Quebec.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

On the spot, Newspaper He met many families, some from outlying areas. Marie-Pierre Lepin, originally from Montreal's South Shore, came to SILQ with her family “on a trip.” Her boys, Vincent and Alexis Brissard, ages 4 and 6, love to read, the mother says. “This is my second book fair!” says the elder.

Scrunchies

Favorite stars like Janet Bertrand, Zachary Richard and Gregory Charles used SILQ to meet the public.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

“I am one of those people who likes to shower in a crowd. I enjoy talking to people, interacting with people, asking them questions, [savoir] What interests them […]. It’s really funny,” says Gregory Charles.

Photo by Julie Rhéaume / Le Journal de Québec

“It was an opportunity to talk about a book I wanted to write,” says the artistA man like him. Gregory describes the life of his late father Lennox: a story of “resilience, dedication, compassion, love”.