FLAM is the first literary festival of this scale to be held in Morocco, bringing together writers, researchers and intellectuals from the African continent, its diasporas and its descendants. “ Separated by official languages, geography and strategic regions, our continent is today more than ever unknown to itself», Says Mozambican writer Mia Couto. FLAM intends to bridge this gap by creating a space for dialogue where African cultural and intellectual diversity can be highlighted.
The general delegate of FLAM, Younès Ajarraï, underlines the importance of this event in encouraging the circulation of works and the meeting of African artists, often forced to meet abroad. It is an ambitious project aimed at strengthening cultural and social ties across the continent. “ African artists are too often seen as operating in a ‘lower division’. The FLAM is a response to this perception, a space to promote their immense talent“, he insists.
The festival aims to promote African literature and arts as vectors of economic and social development, to strengthen cultural dialogues between the North and the South, the East and the West of the continent, and to associate young people to these dynamics to guarantee transmission between generations.
The menu!
Hanane Essaydi, programming advisor, revealed strong themes for this third edition. Three panels will be dedicated to female voices in African literature, with prestigious guests such as Christiane Taubira and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem. Also, the centenary of the birth of Frantz Fanon will be celebrated, paying tribute to this emblematic writer of the anti-colonial struggle.
-Among the highlights: an inaugural lesson by Ananda Devi, a renowned Mauritian writer; discussions around contemporary themes such as justice and solidarity; writing workshops and masterclasses intended for young people, to cultivate their creativity and raise their awareness of literature.
Although centered on literature, FLAM grants an important place to other forms of artistic expression. A specific panel will explore poetry as a way to think about a more human way of inhabiting the world. At the same time, collaborations with visual artists will enrich the program. This year, an exhibition will highlight a Haitian artist based in Quebec, illustrating the spirit of intercultural dialogue specific to FLAM.
Held in parallel with the International Fair of Contemporary African Art 1-54, the FLAM becomes one of the great African agoras dedicated to culture. “ Art and culture are powerful languages for creating authentic connections between Africans and beyond», concludes Hanane Essaydi.
More than a festival, FLAM stands out as an essential platform for reflecting on the identity and future of Africa, giving voice to those who uphold its values of creativity and resilience.
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