{"id":121326,"date":"2026-03-31T14:56:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rwandan-writers-shine-at-francophone-book-meeting"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:15:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:15:22","slug":"rwandan-writers-shine-at-francophone-book-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/culture-and-art\/rwandan-writers-shine-at-francophone-book-meeting","title":{"rendered":"Rwandan Writers Shine at Francophone Book Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The fifth edition of the International Francophone Book Meeting in Kigali brought together writers, thinkers, and cultural actors from across Africa, Europe from March from 25-28.<\/p>\n

What started 6 years ago as a simple cafe\u0301 lite\u0301raire, an intimate conversation between an author and readers, has now evolved into a major platform.<\/p>\n

According to Lee Fou Messica, Director at Institut Franc\u0327ais, the transformation came with the opening of the Francophone Cultural Centre inaugurated in May 2021 by French President Emmanuel Macron.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided to make it bigger, to invite authors from Rwanda, Africa, Europe and Canada to exchange ideas, launch and re-edit books, and create dialogue across cultures,\u201d Messica explained.<\/p>\n

Held during the month of Francophonie, the event reflected both celebration and concern particularly around readership.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a lack of readers today, especially among the youth who are more connected to screens than books,\u201d Messica noted, pointing to the growing influence of social media on reading habits.<\/p>\n

While the event featured a diverse lineup of international authors, it was the Rwandan authors who delivered some of the most powerful and locally grounded narratives.<\/p>\n

Writing as healing and awareness<\/b><\/p>\n

Among them, Dr Christian Ntizimira stood out with the launch of his book “Concept de Safari”, which explores an African framework for palliative care.<\/p>\n

A palliative care doctor and Executive Director of the African Center for Research on End-of-Life, Ntizimira uses literature as a tool to bridge medicine, culture, and human experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy book explores socio-cultural solutions to better integrate palliative care in Rwanda and respond to the needs of patients and families,\u201d Ntizimira said.<\/p>\n

Through allegory and storytelling, he translates complex experiences of suffering into narratives that families can understand and relate to. His work also reflects Rwanda post-genocide reality, where memory, trauma, and healing remain deeply intertwined.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiterature plays a very important role in raising awareness and helping people understand both the specific and general aspects of these issues,\u201d he added, calling for more encouragement for both reading and writing.<\/p>\n

Rethinking African realities<\/b><\/p>\n

Ntizimira also challenged dominant global perspectives on healthcare in Africa, particularly in palliative care.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should not judge African palliative care using Western indicators. It creates a form of social injustice,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n

He emphasized that beyond medical resources, African systems often rely on family presence, community support, and spiritual care, elements that are rarely captured in conventional metrics.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Rwanda, many patients are surrounded by their families at home. That is another form of care,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Literature as memory and reconstruction<\/b><\/p>\n

For Rwandan author Safi Chantal Buseruka, literature serves as a mirror of the country’s transformation.<\/p>\n

She describes her work of 10 books as a reflection of Rwanda\u2019s transformation.<\/p>\n

“I describe the rebirth of Rwandan society in my books. After everything the country has been through, it is a renaissance. It is a society rediscovering itself, learning from its past and trying to correct what happened, while offering the world a new vision, a new image of Rwanda,” Buseruka said.<\/p>\n

For example, in her book Dans les entrailles des mare\u0301cages (loosely translated as “In the depths of the swamp”), Buseruka tells the story of a woman who lost her entire family.<\/p>\n

“Her story deeply moved me. I felt a responsibility to contribute to it, to give it a voice,” she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWriting is not something you plan. It\u2019s a calling. You encounter a story that moves you so deeply that you cannot sleep until you write it,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

She believes literature creates awareness, knowledge, and human connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiterature creates links between people. It builds understanding and strengthens society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the richness of these voices, Ntizimira and Buseruka highlighted a shared concern: the lack of support for African literature.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfrican literature suffers from a lack of support compared to Western literature,\u201d Buseruka noted, emphasizing that books can also contribute to national economies and cultural identity.<\/p>\n

Yet, there is cautious optimism.<\/p>\n

While social media continues to dominate young people\u2019s attention, she believes a shift is beginning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am happy to see that young people are starting to understand that they cannot spend all their time just looking at images,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The event brought together writers, thinkers, and cultural actors from across Africa, Europe.<\/p>\n

Other authors who attended the event include Virginie Karagirwa (French Rwandan), Kayije Kagame (Swiss-Rwanda), and Isabelle Kassi Fofana (from Co\u0302te d\u2019Ivoire).<\/p>\n

Beyond book launches and discussions, the International Francophone Book Meeting has become a space where language, identity, and ideas intersect.<\/p>\n

For many participants, Francophone literature is not just about language, it is about belonging.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives us an identity. Even if we know writers like Victor Hugo or Le\u0301opold Se\u0301dar Senghor, we also feel connected to African voices,\u201d Buseruka reflected.<\/p>\n\r\n