The Trou d'Eau Douce Book Festival, a highly anticipated event in Mauritius, is set to return for its fifth edition from October 2-4, 2026. This year's theme, "L'image à l'honneur" (The Image in Honor), will celebrate the world of images, with a focus on novels, comics, graphic novels, and illustrated books. The festival will feature a diverse range of authors, illustrators, and artists, including Barlen Pyamootoo, the founder and director of the festival.
Barlen Pyamootoo, during a press conference on September 16, 2026, highlighted the importance of comics and graphic novels, which have often been considered a sub-genre of literature. This edition aims to showcase the talents of artists in this medium, with guests such as Pierre Makyo, a renowned comic book artist, and Natacha Eloy, an illustrator from Réunion. The festival will also feature local authors, including Shakti Callikan, Evan Sohun, and Salim Curimjee.
The festival will offer a range of activities, including conferences, roundtable discussions, and workshops. These events will cover topics such as photography in the digital age, printing, and visual storytelling. The festival will also feature a youth workshop, where artists will help young participants create characters, tell stories, and understand tales, with a focus on the sea and animals.
In addition to the literary events, the festival will also showcase films, with a special screening on October 3, 2026, featuring three films that highlight resistance. The films include Persepolis, an animated film by Marjane Satrapi, Rock Paper Scissors, a Ukrainian short film, and a new adaptation of Romain Gary's La promesse de l'aube, starring Pierre Niney and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
The festival will conclude with a unique concert, featuring live drawing by illustrators Evan Sohun and Thierry Permal, accompanied by musicians from the Atelier Mo'Zar. This event promises to be a fitting end to the three-day festival, which promises to be an exciting celebration of images and creativity.
The festival's program will be available on its Facebook page, which will be continuously updated in the coming days. With its diverse range of events and activities, the Trou d'Eau Douce Book Festival is set to be an unmissable event for book lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
The festival's focus on images and creativity is a testament to the evolving nature of literature and art. With its unique blend of local and international talent, the festival promises to be a celebration of the power of images to inspire and educate.
Key points
- The festival's theme, "L'image à l'honneur," highlights the importance of images in literature and art.
- The festival will feature a range of activities, including conferences, workshops, and film screenings.
- The event promises to be a celebration of creativity and inspiration, with a focus on the power of images to bring people together.
