The book world in Senegal is preparing to experience a historic first. On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Maison de la Culture Douta Seck in Dakar will host the very first edition of Senegal’s Literary Back to School, an event that promises to leave a lasting mark on the national cultural landscape.
Organized by the Senegalese Association of Publishers (ASE), in collaboration with various actors in the book chain, this event benefits from the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, and is held under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Under the central theme “Literary sovereignty: possibilities and perspectives »the inaugural lesson of this literary day will invite reflection on the crucial role of books in the consolidation of cultural identity and the promotion of authentically Senegalese literary creation.
The sub-themes discussed during this meeting will enrich the debates with reflections on essential subjects such as literary criticism, perceived in turn as a “crutch or a springboard”, the problem of educational publishing, the place of national languages in the literary field, and the dynamics of the publishing contract.
The book, pillar of culture and education
The Literary Return to School aims to restore the nobility of books, a true tool for transmitting knowledge, a vector of culture, and an engine of development. By promoting authors and works published by Senegalese publishing houses, this event highlights the central role of reading in the formation of active citizenship and critical thinking.
-More than a simple literary event, this initiative contributes to the enrichment of the national cultural agenda. It offers a unique platform to strengthen the visibility of creators, while raising public awareness of the importance of a strong and thriving book ecosystem.
In this sense, the Literary Return of Senegal is not only an annual event, but one more step towards the achievement of literary sovereignty. It opens the way to new possibilities for literature and publishing, while reaffirming the place of the book as the foundation of any enlightened society.
LAMINE DIEDHIOU
