The Francophone literary event “The States General of the French language book around the world” started Thursday at the City of Culture in Tunis, in the presence of a large number of guests representing the Francophonie in the five continents.
The States General of French-language books in the world represent the kickoff of a series of events organised ahead of the Summit of La Francophonie in Djerba, November 20 and 21.
This event is organised at the initiative of the French Ministry of Culture, is implemented by the French Institute in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It is co-organized by Tunisia, France, Ivory Coast, the Republic of Guinea, Quebec, the Swiss Confederation, the Federation Wallonia-Brussels and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
The opening ceremony of this event held on September 23 and 24 at the Opera Theatre took place in the presence of Habib Ammar, Acting Minister of Cultural Affairs and guests from Tunisia.
On the French side were present in particular Eva Nguyen Binh, President of the French Institute and Sylvie Marcé, Commissioner General of the States General of the French language book in the world.
In his opening speech, Habib Ammar said that “humanity will be saved by human intelligence or not. Addressing the professionals of the book, he added that “the book is the living hearth where it crystalises and spreads to enlighten men and nourish in them the values of humanity, conviviality and sharing”.
In a message via screen, Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie expressed her satisfaction with the holding of “this important Francophone event in Tunis. The SG believes that in the field of the book, innovate is to explore new ways opened by the digital, central axis of the 18th Summit of La Francophonie scheduled for next November in Djerba.
The Francophone Organization adheres to the main objective of the States General which is “to decompartmentalize the Francophone publishing, to give it a new impetus, in the South as in the North, by converging the interests of all professionals in the sector in the broadest sense, from creators to booksellers for the benefit of readers, “she said.
The SG recalled the basic principles of the OIF, -created 50 years ago around the unbreakable bond created by the sharing of the French language-, which remains “faithful to its origins as an agency for cultural cooperation”.
Eva Nguyen Binh, president of the French Institute recalled an event that is held after preparations including consultations, studies and work done over three years. She said that “the French Institute, along with the French Cultural Network abroad, will fully assume its role as a companion in the process that will result from the States General.
The City of Culture will host tonight the award ceremony for the Ibn Khaldoun-Senghor 2021 Prize awarded to Frenchman Richard Jacquemond for his translation from Arabic into French of the book “In the footsteps of Enayat Zayyat” by Egyptian author Iman Mersal, published by Actes Sud in 2021 (Paris, France).
This annual award is presented by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
Source: TAP News Agency