Books, Authors, and Smiles: Highlights from the 2026 Outaouais Book Fair
Books, Authors, and Smiles: Highlights from the 2026 Outaouais Book Fair
The 47th edition of the Outaouais Book Fair closed its doors with full rooms, happy faces, and piles of new books in the hands of visitors. For four days, the Palais des congrès and several partner venues in Gatineau buzzed with author meet-and-greets, readings, and literary activities.
This year, the honorary chair was Dany Laferrière, who, alongside guests of honor Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Didier Leclair, Alexandre Fontaine Rousseau, and many others, brought an international touch to this diverse edition. Literature enthusiasts discovered more than 550 authors, participated in workshops, attended roundtables, and enjoyed off-site activities.
From the start, the SLO focused on young readers. The Desjardins Youth Tours reached roughly 4,500 students with over a hundred school workshops in Gatineau, while the Literary Caravans allowed seven authors to meet nearly 1,500 children and teens in remote areas of the Outaouais. On-site, school mornings attracted over 7,500 young attendees, captivated by interactive shows, creative workshops, and astonishing readings.
The general public was equally engaged. Captivating talks, like Dany Laferrière’s lecture in the Jean-Despréz Hall, and poetic-musical readings by Barbada, Ari Cui Cui, and Kim Thúy turned the fair into a hub of exchange and discovery. The “Launch Your Podcast!” contest highlighted young talent, rewarding four Canadian creators for their original productions.
Even off-site activities drew crowds: film screenings, DJ sets by Patrick Senécal, and performances at various cultural venues let adults extend the fair experience while exploring the city.
For the SLO team, this edition was a reminder that books are both a gateway to escape and a way to understand the world. At the closing, volunteers, authors, exhibitors, and visitors left inspired to continue reading, sharing, and imagining together.
With over 12,000 participants, the 2026 Outaouais Book Fair confirmed its status as a key event in the region’s cultural life and promises to return next year for another celebration of literature.
L’équipe du Salon
