For almost twenty years, Swiss cooperation (SDC) has almost entirely financed the African Book Fair — initiated in 2004 by Swiss publisher Pierre-Marcel Favre — which in itself represents a true miracle. “ This is not a surprise, we knew that if the SDC withdrew the African Salon would stop “, says Jérémie Decroux, former head of the African Salon and the Kourouma Prize.
« The African Fair was an exception for the SDC which is more accustomed to financing programs on the continent “, he adds. The latter regrets the end of an event which allowed the promotion of French-speaking African literature, welcoming publishers and authors from the continent to put them in contact with the players in the European French-speaking book industry.
It notably highlights the case of Mohammed Mbougar Sarr, Goncourt Prize 2021, who participated in the Salon in 2018 for De purs hommes, co-published by a French house, Philppe Rey, and another Senegalese one, Jimsaan. An example of cooperation which allows African literature to shine in Europe.
Gladys Marivat, former programmer of the show, returns with emotion to the news of her disappearance.
In two decades, this fair, which has welcomed hundreds of African authors, from the diaspora as well as publishers, has built a solid reputation on the international literary scene. He was notably accompanied by the Librairie Arabe L’Olivier in Geneva.
« The organizers of the Geneva Book Fair are determined to preserve the spirit of the African Fair by promoting the Francophonie and its diverse literatures. They plan to include in the various programs authors presenting literary news related to Africa. », the press release states.
The Ahmadou Kourouma prize, awarded each year on the sidelines of the African Show, will be maintained and presented on one of the show’s main stages.
Image credit: Tree of words – African show in Geneva – ActuaLitté, CC BY SA 2.0
