"Gaguhu Gato" is an essential book, particularly for young Rwandans and Burundians, as Gaël Faye is one of them. The characters evoked by the author naturally create a feeling of identification, and readers will find similarities in the respective histories of the two small countries in the Great Lakes region, Rwanda and Burundi.
Presentation of the project sponsors
The translation project was initiated by Rwanda Arts Initiative (RAI)an Africalia partner organisation. It was founded by playwright and writer Dorcy Rugamba and aims to develop and professionalise the cultural and artistic industry in the Land of a Thousand Hills. Given the decline in the writing industry, it seemed appropriate to translate 'Gahugu Gato' and make it accessible to Rwandan readers, in the hope of developing a readership in the region and inspiring those who feel able to take up the pen to write.
Africalia RAI's partner in this initiative, has committed to providing the financial resources needed to translate the book, as well as sharing its network and expertise to promote it in Belgium.
Les Editions d'en basEditions d'en bas, a Vaud-based publishing house and co-publisher of the book, has joined the venture. Organised around a network of co-operators and subscribers who share the values of its founder, Editions d'en bas has supported and distributed authors of essays, historical, sociological and political reports, personal accounts and life stories, as well as literary texts from a wide range of backgrounds, and now boasts a catalogue of over 350 titles.
About the book
The project to translate Gaël Faye's book into Kinyarwanda has given rise to two initiatives to support its distribution.
Outreach workshops: outreach workshops are organised in schools.
L'NGO CEC (Coopération Education Culture) in its role of disseminating and promoting literature from Africa, the Caribbean and the diasporas, has produced an educational pack on "Petit Pays". It provides support for teachers in schools to prepare lessons on the book by offering keys to reading, interpretation and analysis. It contains activities such as reading, writing and drama workshops to develop creativity, exchange and encourage participation in civic debate.
The audio book: radio is one of the most widely used media on the continent. It seemed obvious to offer an audio version, more accessible and representative of the way people consume literature, so as to also reach the illiterate sections of the population. This version will be transmitted over the airwaves in the form of musical readings using episodic recordings that are very popular in Rwanda.
Registration for the presentation evening
Participation is free of charge. As the number of places is limited, we ask you to register for this event before Tuesday 30 October and to arrive on time.If you don't, your place will be given to someone else.
Please confirm your attendance by email to event4@africalia.be or by telephone on +32 (0)2 412 58 80.
Anyone who has not registered will not be admitted to the room unless a place becomes available. Thank you for your understanding.
