Marrakech: The role of the writer in African society and the impact of literature on awareness were at the center of the debates during a conference held on Friday as part of the second edition of the Festival of the African book of Marrakech (FLAM).
During this meeting, the speakers exchanged visions on the subject of negritude and Africanness, focusing on what writing symbolizes, as a mirror of societies, reflecting culture, values, concerns. and challenges.
According to the Franco-Moroccan novelist, Yasmine Chami, writing is a very demanding exercise, initially subjective and deeply rooted culturally, geographically and socially.
Writing helps ease tensions, bring communities together and promote better understanding, she noted, noting that literature from countries in the South highlights existing divisions, as well as the effects of neoliberalism and of the colonial heritage.
For her part, the Ivorian writer, academic and painter, Véronique Tadjo, explained that negritude, which is intended to be a s
et of cultural characteristics specific to black people, has made it possible to promote pan-Africanism and nourish the feeling of belonging.
She also indicated that her works reflect the common challenges faced by certain African countries and the importance of sharing knowledge between them, despite the differences that may oppose them.
For his part, the Portuguese-speaking Angolan journalist, writer and editor, José Eduardo Agualusa said he engaged in writing “out of necessity” with the aim of better understanding his country and the role it must play it.
Evoking the history of his country, the writer highlighted the value of literature and language in the process of struggle for the liberation and emancipation of peoples.
Supported by the ‘We Art Africans’ association, the African Book Festival aims to celebrate African literature and culture, offering audiences of all ages the opportunity to take part in the event and have free access to all the reception sites, with a view to bringing culture and ar
t closer to the public.
For this second edition, the programming offers themes reflecting the scientific and editorial news of Africa and devotes a particular place to the reactivation and consolidation of memories and links which unite all Africans wherever they are. Musical works and poetic readings are also on the menu.
The festival is attended by several figures of African literature, such as José-Eduardo Agualusa (Angola), Leïla Bahsaïn (Morocco), Souleymane Bachir Diagne (Senegal), Ali Benmakhlouf (Morocco), Sophie Bessis (Tunisia), Siham Bouhlal (Morocco ), Yasmine Chami (Morocco), Touhfat Mouhtare (Comoros), Fanta Dramé (Mauritania) Wilfried N’Sondé (Republic of Congo), Saad Khiari (Algeria) and Mia Couto (Mozambique).
Source: Burkina Information Agency