Characters loved by young people, spaces for teenagers, shows and activities for different age groups; The Montreal Book Fair believes it has found the key to attracting teenagers to a screen-free space for an entire afternoon and getting them excited about reading again.
“As a society, we must work to bring books and reading back to the forefront because literature is the foundation of our culture. We must value the joy and effort of reading,” says the book fair’s general director, Olivier Gougeon.
He wants to win over young people.
“Young people don’t read the way we read when we were young. The read access mode is different. “I think we need to support them more,” says the man, who sees technology not as a barrier but rather as a way to give young people access to literature.
TikTok to the rescue
How to get there? Areas have been designed for young people, such as the Lis-moi MTL area for young people aged 12 to 18. The “ideal youth library” was created. Here young people can discover a selection of books dedicated to them. They are also invited to stick their favorite book on a designated wall.
TikTok is even brought in for reinforcement via the BookTok box. Young people can film themselves there and share the clips on social networks to present their discoveries and reading purchases. The concept will be the subject of a workshop on “Understanding the BookTok Phenomenon” with the popular Jessyca David, taking place on Thursday at 2:15 p.m.
Photo from Linkedin website
Renowned authors
Meeting well-known children’s book authors is also a great way to attract young people. This year, India Desjardins, Alex A. (author of L’Agent Jean), author and designer Tristan Demers, Christine Beaulieu (Les salmons de la Mitis), Sarah-Maude Beauchesne and Frédérique Dufort are present.
Archive photo, QMI Agency
Archive photo, AGENCE QMI
The “Manga Zone” features a library with a variety of Japanese manga-style comics, as well as bean bags for you to sit and read. The Cabaret of Living Feelings will also take place this Friday at 3 p.m. – a workshop about the emotions of young people accompanied by Simon Boulerice.
Archive photo, QMI Agency
Finally, listening terminals were set up throughout the trade fair to make it possible to listen to audio books. Olivier Gougeon believes that “telling a story is an access to history.” Since the digital book supports the physical book, we encourage authors to mention it.