“Settlement of tales between the forest and the river” in Mana

The 18th edition of the Paul-Henri Gérard International Storytelling Festival ended on Saturday November 9 in Mana with storytellers from Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Suriname and Senegal. The evening continued until early morning to the sound of the Vikings of Guadeloupe and Infusion, a group from Saint-Laurent du Maroni.

The weekend was packed with events, but those who chose to head to Mana made a good choice. The Night of Storytelling, which traditionally closes the Paul-Henri Gérard International Storytelling Festival, has kept its promises, according to Eveline Perigny Baumann, member of Zig Zag Prod, the organizing association. “It was a good edition, with great encounters. More than 3,000 students, in Cayenne, Matoury, Rémire-Montjoly, Mana, were able to meet storytellers. We also rewarded the winners of the storytelling competition launched in September…” Monique Blérald was the president of the jury: “There were several types of texts: tales, short stories, stories, poems, science fiction texts… The texts were written mainly in French but also in Creole. They all reflect the multicultural aspect of Guyana and are moving in their depth, their sincerity, their authenticity, their candor… Above all, they speak well about the reality and current affairs in Guyana.”

Ruby Alido, the youngest storyteller of the festival, from Charvein, to Mana
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©Eric Léon

In addition to storytellers from Guyana, the festival, as usual, opened its doors to stories from elsewhere and to those who tell them. This year, they came from Suriname, Senegal, Martinique and Guadeloupe around a theme “Settling tales between the forest and the river”.

Storyteller Boubacar Ndiaye from Senegal
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©Eric Léon

Another strong moment which contributes to the success of this festival : the residency organized with artists. « We wanted to offer a meeting between the dominant music »indicates Eveline Perigny Baumann. Among the guests: Pierre-Edouard Décimus, one of the founding members of the Kassav' group. Together, the guests sounded the drums of Guyana and Martinique, the ka of Guadeloupe, the tambourines, the roll of Reunion. The public appreciated the restitution, Saturday on stage, during the Night of Tales, presented by Rudy Icaré. « It was an incredible feeling to find the different Creole cultures around the drum », rejoices Eveline Perigny Baumann. The public was able to enjoy the five pieces created by the artists during the residency. They should be the subject of a broader restitution.