REPORT
Ivory Coast: the International Book Fair targets young readers
Audio 01:27
The Guadeloupean Manick Siar-Titeca, director of the Caribbean audiobook publishing house "1 Voice 1 History", at the 12th edition of the Abidjan International Book Fair.
© RFI/Sidy Yansané
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The Abidjan International Book Fair (SILA) closed its doors on Saturday May 21 at the Palais de la Culture.
After two years of shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event has chosen as its theme, for this 12th edition, "
commitment to an active and sustainable African readership
".
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With our correspondent in Abidjan,
Sidy Yansané
Despite the presence of several bookstores and publishing houses in the Ivorian economic capital, interest in literature remains limited, with an impact on the youngest.
This is the reason why authors and publishers are multiplying the works aimed at the little ones.
Headphones on their ears to isolate them from the noise, half a dozen children applaud at the end of the story, told by Manick Siar-Titeca, director of the Caribbean audiobook publishing house “1 Voix 1 Story ".
The Guadeloupean repeats: “The
pleasure of reading is the pleasure of listening.
»
“
I asked parents: but how many of them still read stories to their child in the evening?
Well they were all embarrassed to tell me they don't do it anymore.
This transmission of orality is the first vector of knowledge, of memorization and then of attention
,” she underlines.
The corridors of the SILA are teeming with children excited by the variety of books.
A victory for children's literature, including the stand of the illustration platform, Ultimes Griots, which offers superhero comics inspired by African cultures.
Serge Alain Niango is one of the screenwriters: “
Parents want to tell about African (cultures) to their children but, for lack of time or lack of knowledge, they can't.
So when they come across the illustrations of 'Ultimes Griots', they say 'Ah!
Here is a way, in fact, that I have to help my child to relate to his culture.
»
Telling stories to the little ones from an early age is essential to make them lasting readers, believes the editorial director of Nimba Editions Sarah Mody: "
Children's literature where children can find heroes who look like them and intrigues in which they can recognize each other, it is very important for forming the imagination of the adults of tomorrow.
It's up to us to bring the book and also the parents.
The book must also be a Christmas present or a birthday present in the same way as a console tablet or a robotic toy.
»
Read also: Abidjan International Book Fair: meeting with an Ivorian enthusiast
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Ivory Coast
Culture
Literature