The French Alliance in Ndzuani and the Comoros Heritage Collective (Cpc) have launched a contest called "Slam ton patrimoine" to promote Comorian cultural heritage. The contest is open to students in middle and high schools on the island and aims to raise awareness about the richness of Comorian heritage. It is part of the efforts to inscribe the medinas of the historical Sultanates of Comoros on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The contest invites participants to address different dimensions of Comorian heritage, including medinas, traditions, music, dance, crafts, and cuisine. To enter, contestants must submit a video of their performance, lasting no more than 2 minutes, accompanied by a written version of their text in shikomori and/or French. The deadline for submissions is October 23, and twenty finalists will be selected, with ten in each category.
A press conference was held on September 28 to launch the event, themed "Heritage and Youth: Preserving, Transmitting, and Living Our Heritage." Catherine Foulon, director of the French Alliance in Ndzuani, explained that the contest aims to renew the way people view heritage and give young people a voice. She emphasized that slam poetry is a democratic art form that requires only a pen, paper, and a voice.
The contest is expected to contribute to the preservation and transmission of Comorian cultural heritage. The finalists will participate in a training and preparation day on November 8, which will include work on writing, diction, interpretation, and stage presence. They will also visit the medina, Ujumbe Palace, and the Citadel. The grand final will take place on November 28 at the French Alliance in Mtsamdu.
Dr. Ibraza Oumar, director of the Ujumbe project at the Cpc, highlighted the objective of raising awareness about the value of national heritage and encouraging young people to research and express their creativity through writing and speech. He emphasized that the contest will allow students to immerse themselves in the reality of their cultural heritage.
The contest is open to students with different profiles, and the organizers encourage those who are passionate about history, words, or slam poetry to participate. The event is expected to be a platform for young people to express themselves and discover their creative potential.
The "Slam ton patrimoine" contest is a joint initiative of the French Alliance in Ndzuani and the Comoros Heritage Collective, and it aims to promote Comorian cultural heritage and encourage young people to take an interest in their cultural roots.
Key points
- The contest aims to raise awareness about Comorian cultural heritage and encourage young people to express their creativity through slam poetry.
- The contest is open to students in middle and high schools on the island of Comoros.
- The grand final of the contest will take place on November 28 at the French Alliance in Mtsamdu.
