While youth literature is thriving in Africa, with many original creations, local publishing houses still face numerous challenges. It was to address these issues that FEJA was created, a pan-African gathering of publishers specializing in youth literature.
Organized by the association Lire au Togo, chaired by Simon de Saint-Dzokotoe, with the support of Agnès Debiage (ADCF Africa), FEJA also benefited from the backing of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). Its three-day program was designed to foster professional exchanges, with workshops in the morning and B2B meetings in the afternoon.
Thus, 52 publishers from the youth literature sector (excluding educational books), representing 2,091 titles from 16 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo), were able to discuss crucial issues for their profession.
Youth Literature: An Educational Challenge
As an educational tool, a vector of values, a catalyst for curiosity, and a breeding ground for creativity, youth literature addresses significant challenges far beyond mere recreational leisure. Yet, it is essential to offer children and adolescents books, albums, and comics that capture their interest and ignite their imagination.
In this spirit, it is crucial to create heroes and heroines who resemble their young African readers and evolve in familiar environments, with stories that resonate with them. Developing a relatable local character was the theme of one of the workshops, led by Pascale Siew, creator of the endearing Mauritian character Tikoulou.
It is equally vital to offer children high-quality, original, colorful, and carefully illustrated products. These reflections were enriched by artists Jean Koumy and William Adjete Wilson, who shared their creativity in color and illustration (collages, wax, appliqués, etc.), respectively.
The Economic Equation for African Publishers
Another significant challenge for African publishers is the distribution of books. How can they make book production profitable in the absence of proper distribution channels?
It was in this context that FEJA took place, with the ambition of fostering a network that encourages pan-African collaborations. Co-publishing, in particular, can be an interesting solution, as can rights transfers, which facilitate the circulation of works. In this perspective, translation issues were at the heart of discussions, enabling connections between linguistic zones and the continental circulation of works.
Another avenue widely explored during the forum was digital publishing, an interesting solution to increase the visibility of works at a lower cost but to be used judiciously, with a clear understanding of its implications.
These exchanges will undoubtedly fuel the participants’ reflections as they return home with fresh ideas and a full list of contacts, eager to continue the discussions!
