Kinshasa: a perception of literature as a vehicle for crossing borders evoked

Kinshasa, November 16^th, 2025 (CPA). – The literature has been perceived, on Saturday, as a vehicle for crossing borders, those of languages, cultures and even generations, at the closing of the 11^th edition of the Book Festival, organised at the French Institute in Kinshasa, in Gombe, in the north of the city. «It is with a great deal of pleasure that I take the floor this evening to close this 11^th edition of the Book Festival in Kinshasa. It has been a vibrant and generous edition, which has reminded us once again that words can cross all boundaries: those of language, culture and even generations, » has declared Nicolas Berlanga-Martinez, European Union Ambassador to DRC. « For the past week, Kinshasa has been living to the rhythm of words. From schools to universities, bookshops to cultural centres, the city has created spaces for dialogue, imagination and sharing. The books have circulated, the ideas have emerged, the laughter and sometimes the tears have flowed. And everywhere, curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm have shone through, » he has added. The European Union Ambassador has said he was delighted to celebrate this 11^th edition, which is closing in Kinshasa while opening in Matadi. ‘Dear friends of books, as we close the chapters in Kinshasa together, let us already open those in Matadi, Kisangani and the other cities that are waiting for the festival. Let us continue to circulate books, ideas and dreams. And let us always remember that the words, when they are shared, become bridges to the future,’ he has affirmed. Although this edition has come to a close in Kinshasa, it will continue on Sunday in other cities across the country: Matadi, Kisangani, Moanda, Goma, Uvira and Lubumbashi. The diplomat has also raised the possibility of continuing the Book Festival throughout all the cities of DRC, and even across Africa. The 11^th edition of the Book Festival in Kinshasa has closed with a classical theatre performance entitled ‘Le Silence’ (The Silence), performed by the students from the National Institute of Arts (INA). Several other cultural programmes have also marked this edition. ACP/