The “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe, organized by the Kontakaz association with the support of the Communauté d’agglomération de la Riviera du Levant (CARL), celebrates the oral heritage of Guadeloupe. Scheduled to run from March 17 to 21, the event is aimed primarily at schoolchildren, but will also captivate a wider audience throughout the CARL territory. Its fundamental aim is to ensure the transmission of oral traditions to younger generations, by showcasing storytellers from the Caribbean and beyond.
The importance of oral heritage
Oral heritage is an essential pillar of Guadeloupean culture. Through stories and legends handed down from generation to generation, it shapes identity and collective memory. Storytelling, as an oral art form, plays a major educational role, enriching children’s vocabulary and developing their expressive skills. Cameroonian storyteller Binda Ngazolo emphasizes the positive impact of storytelling on public speaking. The “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe is thus part of a dynamic that promotes oral knowledge and the intellectual development of young people.
A plurality of storytellers
The festival welcomes storytellers from Haiti, the Paris region, French Guiana, Cameroon, Martinique and, of course, Guadeloupe. This diversity encourages encounters between cultures, highlighting the similarities and singularities of the stories. Caroline Castelli, a French storyteller, makes a point of identifying these correspondences in the stories she shares. Edgard Férus, president of the Kontakaz association, reminds us of the importance of passing on these stories with passion and authenticity.
Storytelling as a social and educational tool
Much more than mere entertainment, storytelling is an instrument for raising awareness and awakening consciences. It plays a role in the fight against illiteracy and helps transform certain painful aspects of history into a collective force. Key figures in the “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe, Laroro, Benzo, Klik, Fayo, Lambert Lebeau and M’bitako are actively committed to preserving and promoting this oral heritage.
Activities for all ages
Throughout the festival, a varied program is offered in Sainte-Anne and throughout the CARL region. Interactive workshops introduce youngsters to the art of storytelling, while immersive performances transport spectators into fascinating worlds. Encounters with storytellers also offer a unique opportunity to exchange ideas on the richness of stories and traditions. These events bring storytelling to life and highlight the cultural richness of Guadeloupe and the Caribbean. Far from being a one-off event, the “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe plays an active role in the transmission of intangible heritage.
Cultural and tourist impact
The “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe is more than just a cultural event, it also plays a role in the region’s tourist appeal. By highlighting Guadeloupe’s oral heritage, it attracts visitors and helps to promote local knowledge. Numerous researchers, artists and cultural enthusiasts come together to explore the richness of these stories and their universal significance.
The “Festival du Conte et des Imaginaires” of Guadeloupe is a must-attend event for anyone wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of oral heritage. By showcasing storytellers from the Caribbean and other regions of the world, it is an essential part of the process of preserving and transmitting stories. A precious heritage, rooted in collective memory and looking to the future.
