Writers Talk Literary Activism at Paris Book Fair

By SWANPARIS, Mar 22 2018 (IPS)The 2018 Paris Book Fair (Livre Paris) took place against the backdrop of demonstrations in Mayotte that echoed similar protests a year ago in French Guiana, putting the topics of literary activism and popular disaffection high on the agenda at the March 16-19 event.Writers from France’s overseas regions and departments, which include Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, spoke out about their role and contribution to French literature, highlighting the social and economic conditions in their territories.Launching an anthology of short stories titled Guyane: Nou gon ké sa (We’re fed up), Guyanese authors said they felt compelled to address on-going struggles.Literary representatives from French Guiana at Livre Paris.“The demonstrations were for better security, healthcare, infrastructure, transportation, all of which affects everybody,” said Joël Roy, one of the contributors. “Writers aren’t separate from this.”In March 2017, strikes and protests in Guiana blocked streets, caused the temporary closure of schools and some businesses, and delayed the launch of a rocket from the aerospace centre that is run by France and the European Space Agency.Reports of the demonstrations filled the airwaves in mainland France, with some commentators making it seem as if the population was being unreasonable (“We can’t keep sending money there,” said one Parisian). But writers have been among those spotlighting the hypocrisy in government polic...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - March 22, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: SWAN Tags: Development & Aid Europe Headlines Health Poverty & SDGs Source Type: news