Running up to Sunday 17 March 2024, for three days, Paris became the literature capital of African Books. The 2024 edition of the African Book Fair in Paris brought together more than 200 authors and 80 publishers from Africa, Europe, Americas and the Caribbean, to “celebrate the diversity of a thriving global literature.”
Presence and visibility of African literature
Erick Monjour, the Director of the Paris African Book Fair explained that the initiative was in response to a need “for legitimacy, presence and visibility of African literature in France, Europe and elsewhere.” This showcase is therefore intended to be an experience for writers and publishers to meet and exchange with the public, on the place of Africa in the world, from the point of view of writers, poets, African and descendants of Africa.
“Breaking Boundaries of Imagination, Rethinking Futures” was theme chosen this year’s edition. It The theme was debated around thirty conferences and round tables intended for school audiences and the general public. The Fair explored the work of authors in in French, English, Arabic, Portuguese, and in more than 1 000 African languages.
The African Paris Fair activities addressed numerous subjects related to the theme as well as in various literary fields (stories, literature, tales, current affairs, comics, children’s publishing and others). The Salon hosted exhibitions, performances, and screenings and other artistic offerings (poetry, stories, music). It was also an occasion and opportunity for French, European and African publishers to meet.
Moving beyond territorial and linguistic confines
In the eyes of the organisers, the theme was an invitation for reflection to move beyond territorial, linguistic or even ethnic compartmentalisations of African literature. It is a decompartmentalization which will make it possible to move away from narrow, simplistic and harmful ideas and narratives about Africa. Hopefully, this would initiate and establish a more lasting cultural vision of Africa and its descendants scattered around the world. The idea is to put on display the uniqueness and richness of Africa, its people and cultures -for the greater good of African books. And for Erick Monjour, Director of the Paris African Book Fair, this involves creating bridges between different literatures.
During the Fair, Ivory Coast was the guest country of honour, and special attention was given to Henri Lopes, a recently departed writer and politician. Tributes were also paid to other great Ivorian literary giants.reats.
