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Mission
To promote African books and arts, whether traditional or contemporary, to a wide audience.
Literary and artistic event
FILAA
FILAA, the International Festival of African Books and Arts, celebrates books, African arts and the richness of cultural exchange in Lausanne. It is an annual gathering open to readers, creators and professionals from the book sector.
The festival
An international festival dedicated to African books and arts
Built around a community of book and art lovers, as well as young readers, FILAA aims to promote African books and arts in all their diversity. Organised in Lausanne, a Swiss city open to the world, the festival highlights the essential role of authors, creators and craft artists while contributing to the visibility of African publishing.
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Vision
To make Lausanne an annual reference point in Switzerland for African books and African artistic expression.
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Values
Sharing, diversity, inclusion and enjoyment are at the heart of the FILAA experience.
Program
Days shaped by meetings and discoveries
Explore the full festival program: schedules, meetings, workshops, conferences and major highlights.
Day 1 — Opening
10h00
Official opening
Welcome address, festival presentation and opening of the spaces.
Welcome address, festival presentation and opening of the spaces.
11h30
Meeting with guest authors
Discussion about new literary releases and exchanges with the public.
Discussion about new literary releases and exchanges with the public.
15h00
Round table
The future of books, reading and cultural practices.
The future of books, reading and cultural practices.
Day 2 — Youth & creation
10h30
Youth workshop
Activities around storytelling, drawing and imagination.
Activities around storytelling, drawing and imagination.
14h00
Public reading
Reading of selected excerpts and literary performance.
Reading of selected excerpts and literary performance.
17h00
Book signings
Special meetings with the invited writers.
Special meetings with the invited writers.
Festival projects
Initiatives that extend FILAA’s cultural impact
The festival develops actions that encourage creation, exchange, transmission and the visibility of African books and arts.
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Reading promotion
Actions designed to encourage reading among all audiences.
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Artistic creation
Spaces dedicated to African artistic expression and contemporary creation.
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Youth
Initiatives designed for young readers around books and the arts.
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Exchange & debate
Spaces for dialogue around society, culture and diversity.
Activities
A lively, participatory and intergenerational festival
Discover a rich and varied program of activities, including workshops, conferences, exhibitions and cultural encounters.
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Conferences
Exchanges around books, arts and major cultural and social issues.
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Youth workshops
Creative and educational activities to awaken children’s imagination.
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Exhibitions
A spotlight on African artistic creations, both traditional and contemporary.
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Meetings & debates
Dialogue spaces between artists, authors, professionals and the public.
Authors
Inspiring voices at the heart of the event
Discover the guest authors, their worlds, their books and the highlights of their presence during the festival.
Book signings
Special moments with the invited writers
Find signing sessions, schedules and meeting spaces with the guest authors.
Friday — Area A
14h00 – 15h00
Author 1 — Contemporary novel
Stand A12Free access
Saturday — Area B
15h30 – 16h30
Author 2 — Youth literature
Stand B05Signing
Sunday — Area C
17h00 – 18h00
Author 3 — Essay & society
Stand C03Meeting
News
Latest news from the festival
Follow the announcements, updates and highlights that shape the preparation and running of the festival.
April 12, 2026
The first guest authors have been announced
A preview of the literary figures who will take part in this new edition of FILAA.
April 18, 2026
Volunteer applications are now open
Take part in organising the festival and experience the event from the inside alongside our team.
April 22, 2026
The detailed program will be online soon
Conferences, workshops, exhibitions and signings: discover the upcoming highlights.
Take part
A space for festival contributors
A dedicated space for exhibitors, professionals, volunteers and media representatives wishing to take part in the festival.
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Exhibitors
Reserve a space to present your products, books or cultural initiatives.
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Professionals
A meeting point for publishers, booksellers, institutions and sector partners.
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Volunteers
Help make the festival a success by joining the organising team.
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Media
Accreditation requests, press resources and communication support.
Would you like to join FILAA?
Exhibit, collaborate, cover the event or contribute to its organisation. Be part of the adventure.
Contact
Plan your visit or contact the festival team
For any request about information, partnership or participation, contact the festival team using the form below.
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Address
Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne, Switzerland
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Phone
+41 78 824 54 94
+41 78 824 54 94
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Email
contact@filaa.org
contact@filaa.org