Arles 11th edition of the Paroles Indigo festival: understanding Africa differently

The 11th edition of the Paroles Indigo festival began on Wednesday October 30 with a writing workshop for children with children’s author Alain Serge Dzotap in Saint-Martin de Crau, as well as with a round table on the issues of cultural policies in the contexts of “Villes-monde”, within the history museum of the city of Marseille. But it was this Saturday morning that this 11th edition was inaugurated in the Van Gogh space in Arles, on the occasion of the opening of the exhibitions presented there.

Claire de Causans, deputy mayor of Arles, Chantal Ahounou, deputy mayor of Sarcelles, Nathalie M’Dela Mounier, godmother of the festival, Sarah Dauphiné Tchouatcha photographer and director, Alain Serge Dzotap children’s author, as well as the assistant principal and a teacher from the Lycée Pasquet whose student work is exhibited, were thus brought together. “It’s a somewhat wonderful festival which gives voice to other authors, to other publishers, which highlights Africa in another way and the world too.“, rejoiced Nathalie M’Dela Mounier. “After different editions which allowed us to understand Africa, the Middle East differently, and a reflection on Pan-Africanism in 2023, this year the festival offers a dive into “Africa in world time”. It is an echo of Mamadou Diouf’s essay, a concise, enlightening, easy-to-access work.“

The festival continues in several locations across the city throughout the day on Sunday, November 3. There 6th edition of the Lycéen.ne.s Poètes project, in partnership with the Pasquet, Montmajour and Alphonse Daudet high schools will then take place from November 4 to 8. “We take advantage of the festival and we welcome two speakers into the classes, generally a photographer and a writer. At the beginning we wondered how we were going to get the students to write. In fact, after 5 minutes they all wanted it“, rejoiced a teacher from the Pasquet high school. Hajar Pourmera Thiam and Sarah Dauphiné Tchouatcha are the two speakers this year. A restitution will be offered as part of the Spring of Poets in March 2025.

The complete festival program: motsindigo.fr/paroles-indigo-2024-programme/