Morocco Launches New Seminar Series on African Literature
The Moroccan Academy has announced the initiation of a new series of scholarly seminars titled "Fundamentals of African Literature and Diaspora Literature," set to commence tomorrow at its headquarters in Rabat. This initiative is part of the Academy's ongoing efforts to enhance academic research and specialized knowledge regarding African literature and its diverse cultural heritage.
According to a statement from the Academy, this initiative is organized by the Chair of African Arts and Literature and primarily targets doctoral students and research professors, alongside master's students eager to deepen their understanding of African literature and diaspora narratives. The program will span a full year, from June 2026 to June 2027, featuring five thematic meetings aimed at contributing to the establishment of a comprehensive African reference library. This library is envisioned to be open, participatory, and constantly evolving, reflecting the historical depth, linguistic diversity, and creative richness that characterize literary production across the African continent and its extensions worldwide.
Inaugural Seminar and Thematic Focus
The first session will focus on the theme "Matrices and Literary Forces of the Continent," exploring historical continuities, intellectual connections, and forms of narrative hybridity that have shaped African literature throughout its various developmental stages—from ancient African centers of knowledge to contemporary literary experiences. The Permanent Secretary of the Moroccan Academy is expected to inaugurate this scientific gathering, affirming his commitment to a vision that promotes knowledge exchange, fosters global solidarity, and strengthens the intellectual ties between Morocco and its African depth as well as various regions of the world. This aligns with the vision held by King Mohammed VI, aiming to position Rabat as an international hub for cultural dialogue and the exchange of experiences, thereby reconnecting human imaginations and allowing for the emergence of new narratives capable of renewing an open humanist foundation that respects linguistic diversity, collective memories, and experiences.
Professor Eugene Eboudi will deliver the opening lecture of the seminar, entitled "An African Theory of Continuity and Narrative Hybridity." Following this, there will be contributions from university professors and researchers from Morocco and several African countries, discussing the historical, aesthetic, and intellectual foundations that could contribute to shaping an African narrative library that responds to current transformations while honoring the continent's specificities. Through this scientific series, the Moroccan Academy aspires to establish a broad intellectual workshop for creating a reference African library that provides new resources for researchers, professors, and students, while also enhancing knowledge of African literary heritage, its historical context, and contemporary developments. This effort is crucial in supporting academic dialogue regarding the place of African narratives in the global cultural landscape.
As reported by hespress.com.
