- Tweeter
republish
It is a book that echoes the revolution in Algeria, a revolution that led to the departure of the power of Abdelaziz Bouteflika early April. Kaouther Adimi's "Les petits de Décembre" is the third novel by this 33-year-old author. It tells a strange revolt led in Algeria ... by children.
We are west of Algiers, in the city of 11-December. For years, children have been using a vacant lot as a football field, but one day generals arrive. They have big dark glasses and plans under their arms: they want to build their villas there. In front, Mahdi, Jamyl, Inès and their friends will organize the response ... to children.
Kaouther Adimi finished writing Les petits de Décembre at the very beginning of the revolution in Algeria. "A lot of things were going on in Algeria in recent years that let us understand that it was going to happen like that. Indeed, we had in front a power that did not see, because they are disconnected from reality, they are disconnected from the Algerian youth. But, in recent years, there have been, here and there, several manifestations. For reasons that sometimes seem minimal to power : because a musician was arrested in the center of Algiers, people come out to claim his freedom ... They spent a lot of things like that. That's how my book Les petits de Décembre was born. "
In Les petits de Décembre , a general complains about the children's revolt with the director of security, who advises him to " let it go ." " Since when are we allowed to do so ? Rebels the general. The Director of Security responds: " Since the price of oil has plummeted and social networks do not allow us to stop people from talking, commenting, denouncing ... "
► Listen also: Kaouther Adimi is our Culture Guest