An analysis of the current decadence of the West and of the redeeming role that Africa could play alongside the Old Continent

« Which lesson can we draw from the ambiguous adventure of the encounter of our people with those who imposed themselves through the force and violence of history? Or simply put, which lesson is to be drawn from colonization?»

This question was central to the renowned novel by Cheikh Hamidou Kane, L’Aventure Ambigüe, published in 1961, and equally permeates in the passionate essay recently published by Hamidou Sall, L’Occident Ambigu.

Hamidou Sall is the nephew of Cheick Hamidou Kane, writer, and poet from Senegal, and he pursues here the fundamental reflection started in the wave of the Independences of Africa. As the spiritual son of Leopold Sedar Senghor and Aimé Césaire, he analyses the current decadence of the West and the redeeming role that Africa could play alongside the Old Continent.

During this literary evening, Sall invites us to share his reflection and participate in an exchange with Congolese author In Koli Jean Bofane and Lilian Thuram, former football player and director of Foundation Lilian Thuram – Education contre le racisme. The actress Bwanga Pili Pili, accompanied by kora player Mamadou Dramé, will read some extracts of the book L’Occident ambigu.

The evening will be moderated by Elisabeth Tchoungui, French-Cameroonian journalist, producer, and writer.

ÉLIZABETH TCHOUNGUI Born Washington DC, USA, in 1974, Élizabeth Tchoungui is a writer, journalist and television presenter for the French television. She is currently director of the department of News, Arts, Music and Literature of France 24 channel. In 2010, she publishes Bamako Climax that won the Prize Orange du Livre.