The Senegalese literary world is preparing for a significant first. On April 17, 2025, the Maison de la Culture Douta Seck in Dakar inaugurates the very first edition of the Senegal Literary Back to School. This event aims to permanently disrupt the cultural landscape of the country.
This event is orchestrated by the Senegalese Association of Publishers (ASE), with the assistance of various partners from the book chain. It is held under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, and under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Placed under the theme “Literary sovereignty: possibilities and perspectives”, the meeting will explore the fundamental role of books in anchoring cultural identity and promoting authentically Senegalese literature.
Sub-themes such as literary criticism, sometimes seen as a “crutch or a springboard”, the question of educational publishing, the importance of national languages in the literary field and contractual dynamics in publishing, will enrich the discussions.
The Literary Back to School aims to restore the book to its place of choice as a vector of culture and an educational engine. By highlighting Senegalese authors and publishers, this event highlights the importance of reading in the training of citizens and the development of critical thinking.
-Beyond a simple literary event, this initiative enriches the national cultural agenda. It provides a platform to increase the visibility of creators while raising awareness of the need for a dynamic and thriving literary ecosystem.
The Literary Return of Senegal asserts itself as a milestone towards literary sovereignty, promising new perspectives for Senegalese literature and publishing, while reaffirming the book as the cornerstone of an enlightened society, as reported by Lamine Diedhiou on the Sud Quotidien website.
Senegal
