THREE foreign authors who arrived in the country last week, concluded a one-week countrywide tour yesterday. The tour is annually organised by the Francophone countries.

Kossi Effoui, a Togolese novelist, was in the country alongside Hubeli Haddad (Tunisia) and Felline Sarr from Senegal.

Kossi, whose book titled ‘Solo d’un revenant Seuil,’ was voted the best, is linked to the Rwandan history.
The tour covered nine schools in the country, including FAWE Girls, Green Hills Academy, Ecole Autonome de Butare, and Universities, like ULK, KIE and Urunana, a local independent NGO.

"I was impressed by the response from the children and adults in schools. They were keen about my book and asked brilliant questions,” Kossi said. "I have no doubt there is talent in Rwanda.”

The main objective of their tour was to promote the culture of writing and reading in the country.

The manager of Ishyo cultural centre, Carole Karemera said that it is the first time Francophone novelists have been hosted. 

"We have previously hosted professional English writers from Europe and East Africa to promote literature in the country,” Karemera said.

Karemera noted that Rwandans have the talent, but luck skills and exposure to become great writers.

"I’m amazed by the way the country has developed only 16 years after the 1994 Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi,” Felline said.

"I’m really overwhelmed and I intend to come back and start businesses here,” the Senegalese writer vowed.

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