By: Yomna Walid
For many Arabs living abroad, the pull of language, heritage, and culture is ever-present. That longing finds expression in Montr&eacute;al, where the Salon International du Livre Arabe returns for its second edition from the 3rd to the 5th of October under the theme &ldquo;Montr&eacute;al Speaks Arabic.&rdquo;
More Than Just Books
Organized by the Service Public pour l&rsquo;Int&eacute;gration des Immigrants (SPDI) and directed by Aliaa Shafie Mohamed, the fair offers far more than a literary showcase. Attendees can explore Arabic titles spanning literature, history, poetry, cinema, theater, religion, and politics&mdash;while also enjoying Egyptian koshary, hawawshi, and other beloved Arab dishes. New this year, the program introduces opportunities to learn the Arabic language.
To understand the vision behind the fair, Nile FM spoke with Egyptian journalist and executive director Hossam Abdelkader Mokbel, who has devoted his career to cultural exchange at home and abroad.
The Vision Behind the Fair
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a journalist at heart, with more than 30 years in the field,&rdquo; Mokbel says. His career includes serving as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of a renowned Egyptian magazine, spending a decade as Cultural and Media Advisor at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and publishing four books. &ldquo;Culture has always been the core of my work.&rdquo;
Stronger Than Expected
Reflecting on the fair&rsquo;s debut, Mokbel notes the community&rsquo;s enthusiasm: &ldquo;The Arab community here is deeply eager for culture. Last year&rsquo;s turnout exceeded all expectations and motivated us to continue.&rdquo;
What&rsquo;s New This Year
To keep audiences engaged, this edition introduces fresh elements. &ldquo;Visitors will discover newly published Arabic titles, calligraphy workshops, storytelling for children, and, for the first time, a workshop on novel writing,&rdquo; Mokbel shares. Literary evenings and daily author talks will foster direct exchanges between writers and readers.
Books That Resonate
Asked which genres draw the most interest, Mokbel highlights history and literature. &ldquo;Novels are in especially high demand, and Naguib Mahfouz remains a frequent topic of discussion. Children&rsquo;s books are also gaining popularity, particularly those that introduce Arab culture in simple, engaging ways.&rdquo;
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A Full-Day Cultural Experience
For many, the fair has become a full-day outing. &ldquo;Some visitors spend the entire day with us,&rdquo; Mokbel says. &ldquo;They attend lectures, join workshops, enjoy cultural evenings, and end the day sharing a meal. Our goal was to create a complete cultural experience, which is why food is such an important part of it.&rdquo;
Expanding Publisher Participation
This year also brings broader publishing participation. &ldquo;In our first edition, we hosted 15 Canadian publishers and bookstores,&rdquo; Mokbel explains. &ldquo;Now, publishers from outside Canada are also sending books to be showcased on their behalf, ensuring their work reaches the Arab community here.&rdquo;
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Building Bridges Beyond Borders
The fair is drawing attention beyond the Arab community. &ldquo;Last year, Canadian MPs and political representatives attended, and their presence enriched cultural dialogue between Arabs and Canadians,&rdquo; Mokbel says. &ldquo;In the future, I hope to see participation from French-language bookstores in Montr&eacute;al as well.&rdquo;
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Preserving Arab Identity
For Mokbel, the fair&rsquo;s greatest mission is safeguarding heritage. &ldquo;Every nationality in Canada preserves its identity&mdash;Indians, Chinese, Europeans. We, as Arabs, must do the same,&rdquo; he insists. &ldquo;The Arab Book Fair helps us celebrate and protect our identity.&rdquo;
One Word That Defines It
Asked to sum up the event in one word, Mokbel doesn&rsquo;t hesitate: &ldquo;Identity. Montr&eacute;al speaks Arabic.&rdquo;
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