The second edition of the Kotouf Festival, also known as the Festival of Southern Literature, is set to take place in Djerba, Tunisia, on October 15-16. This year's event brings together writers, poets, thinkers, and artists from the Maghreb, Machrek, and sub-Saharan Africa. The festival aims to create a platform for dialogue and exchange among literary figures from the region, promoting a more diverse and inclusive literary landscape. According to Asma Drissi, the festival's program includes a range of activities, including readings, discussions, and performances.
The Kotouf Festival was first held in 2025 and has since become an annual event. This year's edition features a diverse lineup of guests, including Tunisian novelist Amira Ghenim, writer Moha Harmel, and filmmaker Dani Kouyaté from Burkina Faso. Other notable attendees include philosopher Souleymane Bachir Diagne from Senegal, Lebanese writer and journalist Joumana Haddad, and Algerian poet and translator Lamis Saïdi. The festival's program reflects its commitment to showcasing a wide range of literary voices and perspectives.
The festival's organizers aim to challenge traditional notions of literary circulation and promotion. By hosting the event in Djerba, they hope to create a new hub for literary exchange in the region, one that is not dominated by traditional centers of power. The festival's name, "Kotouf," which translates to "gathering" or "harvesting," reflects this goal. The event is supported by Fatma Bouvet de la Maisonneuve, Mounira Dhaou, and Sourour Barouni.
The festival's program includes a range of activities, including panel discussions, readings, and performances. These events will take place in various locations across the island, including schools and cultural centers. One highlight of the festival is the "Contes sur une barque" (Stories on a Boat) project, which brings literature out of traditional venues and into the island's landscape. This project aims to engage local communities and promote a deeper understanding of the island's cultural heritage.
In addition to its literary program, the festival also includes a focus on youth and education. Local schools will be involved in the festival's activities, with students participating in workshops and meetings with authors. This initiative aims to promote a love of reading and literature among young people and to encourage them to engage with the festival's themes and activities.
The Kotouf Festival is not just a celebration of literature, but also a reflection on the geography of literary circulation. The event's organizers argue that literary production in the Maghreb, Arab world, and Africa has often been shaped by external factors, with major publishing centers and cultural institutions located outside the region. By hosting the festival in Djerba, they hope to challenge this dynamic and create a new model for literary exchange and promotion.
The festival's focus on linguistic diversity is also noteworthy. Events will take place in Arabic, French, and English, reflecting the region's complex linguistic landscape. This approach aims to promote greater understanding and exchange among literary figures from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Overall, the Kotouf Festival represents an important initiative in promoting literary diversity and exchange in the region.
Key points
- The festival aims to create a platform for dialogue and exchange among literary figures from the Maghreb, Machrek, and sub-Saharan Africa.
- The event features a diverse lineup of guests, including writers, poets, thinkers, and artists from across the region.
- The festival's organizers aim to challenge traditional notions of literary circulation and promotion by hosting the event in Djerba.
