The first edition of "La Nuit du conte" is set to take place on October 3, 2026, at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The event aims to utilize oral tradition to raise awareness among young people about the importance of preserving biodiversity and promoting social cohesion. The project was presented at a press conference on September 25, 2026, by Professor Tououi Bi Irié Ernest, a specialist in African civilizations and oral literature.
The event is organized by the Société africaine des cultures et des sciences (SACS) in partnership with the Unité pédagogique de littérature orale de l'UFHB and other university institutions. The theme of the event is "La contribution du conte oral au développement durable par la préservation de la cohésion sociale et de la biodiversité en Côte d'Ivoire". According to Professor Ernest, oral storytelling is a means of transmitting knowledge and values that can be leveraged to educate young people about environmental issues.
Professor Ernest emphasized the need to adapt oral tradition to contemporary society, citing the potential of digital tools and media to disseminate traditional stories. He noted that oral storytelling is not outdated and can continue to serve as a tool for education and community building. The event aims to establish a link between traditional knowledge and current environmental challenges.
The "Nuit du conte" event will feature a competition among five groups of Master's students in Modern Letters, who will be required to draw inspiration from the cultural heritage of a specific Ivorian people. The groups will need to incorporate traditional stories, costumes, and cultural representations into their performances, while also addressing contemporary issues of social cohesion and biodiversity conservation.
The event is particularly relevant in the context of Côte d'Ivoire's environmental challenges, including the degradation of ecosystems. According to Professor Ernest, the country's forest cover has decreased significantly, from 16 million hectares to 2.97 million hectares, while 95% of mangroves have disappeared over the past 50 years.
The SACS hopes that the event will contribute to raising awareness among young people about the importance of protecting animal and plant species, as well as preserving natural habitats. The organization also aims to encourage university research on the relationships between oral heritage, biodiversity, and local development.
The event is expected to promote the use of oral tradition as a tool for education and community building, while also highlighting the importance of preserving Côte d'Ivoire's cultural heritage. By engaging young people in the conservation of biodiversity and promotion of social cohesion, the event aims to contribute to the country's sustainable development.
Key points
- The event aims to utilize oral tradition to raise awareness among young people about the importance of preserving biodiversity and promoting social cohesion.
- The country's forest cover has decreased significantly, from 16 million hectares to 2.97 million hectares, while 95% of mangroves have disappeared over the past 50 years.
- The event will feature a competition among five groups of Master's students in Modern Letters, who will be required to draw inspiration from the cultural heritage of a specific Ivorian people.
