Congo-B: Book and theater caravan travels across the country

With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial

Departing from Brazzaville, this caravan is to make stops in five departments in southern Congo. Its initiator, playwright Mireille Emma Opa Elion, heading a collective of authors, outlines the objectives of the event.

"The reason for the book and theater caravan is quite simple; it is our desire to make people love books and theater among different populations: adults, young people and children", she explains.

Throughout the caravan, the public will have the pleasure of following at least three theatrical performances in various locations. "Through the caravan, the book goes into the city and into homes. We will bring books and theater to the markets, it is the book and theater that go toward the city", adds Ms. Opa Elion.

In Congo, a country once called the "Latin Quarter of Central Africa" because of the reach of its literature, access to books poses no problem, according to Mireille Emma Opa Elion.

"Books have always been available. The country has set up at least 52 libraries in its twelve departments. There are both state libraries as well as private libraries".

The first edition of the book and theater caravan will conclude on May 6 next.