Boualem Sansal – Friedensstifter und Demokrat

In November 2024, the Algerian-French author Boualem Sansal, who was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, was imprisoned upon entering Algeria - despite his advanced age and serious illness. A protest resolution sent out from Leipzig a few days later attracted more than 27,000 signatures worldwide.

After a first solidarity event "Freedom for Boualem Sansal" on December 3, 2024 at the Literaturhaus Leipzig, a second one took place exactly one year ago, on July 1, 2025 in the ballroom of the Old Town Hall: Fifteen international and German-language authors called for the release of the "world author" Boualem Sansal as a "peacemaker of integrity in the best tradition of the European Enlightenment and Islam of old", as a "belligerent Voltaire of the present" who had dared to criticize the Algerian government.

After numerous international efforts, particularly by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the author, who had been sentenced to five years in prison, was finally released in November 2025.

Immediately after his release, he wrote a book about his time in prison in which he makes it clear that he does not actually agree with his pardon because he demands an acquittal as the verdict of a constitutional trial.

Alfonso de Toro, a long-time friend of Sansal and an expert on his work, will host the evening and talk to the author about his experiences in recent months.

Admission: 10,- / 7,- EUR ǀ Event organized by Literaturhaus Leipzig e.V., supported by Stadt- und Kreissparkasse Leipzig

Discounts are available for disabled people and their companions (only if listed on the disabled pass), unemployed people, schoolchildren and students (up to 35 years of age) as well as holders of the Leipzig Pass or an honorary pass (only on presentation of the pass).