Kabyle independence advocate to headline prestigious Paris literary event

Thursday 16 January 2025 - 16:00

France's cultural capital prepares to shine a spotlight on Kabylia's quest for self-determination at the upcoming 36th Paris Book Festival in Brittany. Ferhat Mehenni, who heads the Movement for Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK) and serves as president of the Kabyle Government in Exile, will take center stage at the October event in Carhaix.

The festival organizers have chosen to recognize Mehenni's multifaceted contributions as a writer, poet, composer, and peaceful activist. This recognition comes at a significant moment, as tensions persist between the MAK movement and Algerian authorities, who designated the organization as "terrorist" in 2021 under Article 87 bis—a classification that the United States dismissed as politically motivated in 2022.

France maintains its support for MAK's peaceful activities and continues to host the Kabyle government in exile. The two-day festival, scheduled for October 25-26, will serve as a platform for international intellectuals and writers to explore Kabyle identity and cultural heritage.

The timing of this announcement coincides with the Amazigh New Year celebrations. During a press conference, Mehenni spoke out against Algeria's recent detention of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algiers, who was allegedly arrested in December due to MAK connections.

In response to Sansal's arrest, festival organizers have launched a regional initiative in Brittany calling for his immediate release, along with all prisoners of conscience in Algeria. The event promises to address pressing issues of freedom of expression and human rights, while highlighting the Kabyle people's ongoing pursuit of cultural and political recognition.

The festival will provide a unique opportunity to examine these complex issues through the lens of literature and cultural exchange, fostering dialogue about identity, self-determination, and artistic expression in contemporary society.