The 12th edition of the Democratic Republic of Congo Book Festival is set to take place from November 14 to 21, 2026, in Kinshasa. The event, organized by the French Institute of the DRC and the EUNIC RDC pole, in collaboration with several cultural and institutional partners, will feature a variety of activities, including meetings with authors, readings, performances, literary cafes, writing and illustration workshops, and radio broadcasts.
Over 20 authors, artists, and book professionals from the DRC and internationally are expected to attend the festival, which will be held at the French Institute and other cultural venues. The festival's program includes a range of genres, such as novels, poetry, theater, youth literature, and comics. A temporary bookstore will also be set up as part of the event, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase books and meet authors.
The festival will be opened on November 14 at 6:30 PM with a theatrical reading of a text by Marie NDiaye, followed by a presentation of "La Bibliothèque du père" by Étienne Russias and François Beaune. Other highlights of the festival include a poetry evening on November 19, featuring works by Sony Labou Tansi and Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, and a closing ceremony on November 21, featuring a theatrical performance by Salva Safi Amisi and a concert by Akitowa Mirhego.
In addition to the main events in Kinshasa, the Book Festival will also be held in six other cities and towns across the DRC, including Matadi, Muanda, Kolwezi, Kisangani, Kwilu-Ngongo, and Lubumbashi. The decentralized program aims to involve multiple cultural spaces in the celebration of literature and books.
This year's edition also features a professional focus, which will take place from November 17 to 19. The event will bring together book sector professionals from Kinshasa and the provinces for training sessions and exchanges. The goal is to promote interactions between different stakeholders in the book chain.
The festival now has its own website, fetedulivre.ifrdc.org, which provides access to the full program, information on invited authors, partner venues, and practical participation details. A free festival brochure and the social media channels of the French Institute of the DRC will also be available to follow the various activities.
The Book Festival's program is curated around the theme of bringing literature out of its traditional context and making it more accessible to different audiences. With its mix of events, activities, and initiatives, the 12th edition of the Democratic Republic of Congo Book Festival promises to be an exciting celebration of literature and culture.
Key points
- The festival will feature over 20 authors, artists, and book professionals from the DRC and internationally.
- A temporary bookstore will be set up as part of the event, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase books and meet authors.
- The festival will be held in seven cities across the DRC, including Kinshasa, Matadi, Muanda, Kolwezi, Kisangani, Kwilu-Ngongo, and Lubumbashi.
