The Haitian writer Yanick Lahens has inaugurated the fourth edition of the Flam, the African Book Festival in Marrakech, under the thought-provoking theme of "imagining new possibilities." This year's event features a diverse array of literary figures, including J.M.G. Le Clézio, who recently received the Cino del Duca Prize, Patrick Chamoiseau, Christiane Taubira, Alain Mabanckou, and many others from various backgrounds, such as American author Phillip B. Williams, who won the 2025 foreign novel prize for his work _Chez Nous_. Lahens, who is the recipient of the 2014 Femina Prize for her novel _Bain de lune_ and the Grand Prize for Novel from the Académie Française for her recent work _Passagères de nuit_, made her way to Marrakech from Haiti despite the challenging circumstances, including the ongoing closure of the Port-au-Prince airport.
The theme of "imagining new possibilities" resonates deeply in today's literary landscape and serves as a call to action in times of urgency. Lahens emphasizes the vital role of poetry in this discourse, drawing inspiration from Haitian poet René Depestre, who celebrates his 102nd birthday this year. She reflects on the concept of
As reported by lepoint.fr.
