Fete Du Livre De Kinshasa 2020, the seventh edition of the festival, happens in venues around the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo from February 14 – 22, 2020.
The Fete Du Livre De Kinshasa, which English speakers would translate to the Kinshasa Book Fair, has happened in the capital of one of the richest countries on the continent since 2013. It is organized by the Pôle Eunic-RDC under the coordination of the French Institute in Kinshasa.
This year the festival organisers have set themselves the ambitious objective of contributing to the emergence of a book and literature industry in DR Congo by increasing the number of meetings, by offering to read the texts of the rich Congolese literary scene, by inviting recognized professionals in their field, authors, journalists, literary critics, meeting moderators and publishers.
Guests
The festival this year promises dozens of guests for those who love the written word. Kinshasans will interact with over thirty writers from across the world including In-Koli Jean Bofane (Belgium – DRC), Valérie Manteau (France), Gauz (Ivory Coast), Ali Zamir (Comoros), Max Lobe (Cameroon – Switzerland), Djaïli Amadou Amal (Cameroon), and Zukiswa Wanner (South Africa). Joining the authors are two international cartoonists.
This year, scientific literature is in the spotlight with numerous thematic programs in partnership with the School of Criminology of the University of Kinshasa (UniKin) and the Totanga scientific library! Two international researchers are invited: Julien Loiseau (Historian, France) and Nadia Yala Kisukidi (Philosopher, France – RDC).
Awards
Makomi, a European prize for Congolese literature which focus on books published since the last edition, will be presented. The winner will be awarded assistance with the re-editing of their work in order to make it more available for sale to Kinshasa and Congolese readers.
International partnerships
The festival this year weaves two important partnerships with recognized literary events: the Oh Les Beaux Jours! Festival. (Marseille, France) and the Salon du Livre de Genève (Switzerland), as well as continental media partnerships with Radio France Internationale and the Canal + group.
For more information about this festival, you can follow them at the Institute’s official website, Facebook or Twitter.
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