Union des écrivains gabonais launches 2026-2027 literary season

The Union des écrivains gabonais (UDEG) has officially launched its 2026-2027 literary season in Libreville, Gabon. Under the theme “Writing life, telling the world,” the initiative aims to promote Gabonese authors and works both nationally and internationally while encouraging local readership.

Writer and poet Pierre Odounga Pépé has been named the featured author for this season to honor historical figures in Gabonese literature. During the launch, UDEG President Éric Joël Bekalé discussed the historical evolution of writing and the printing press, emphasizing the role of books in societal development.

Sylvie Ntsame, director of Éditions Ntsame, addressed the economic challenges facing the industry, specifically warning against the harmful effects of literary piracy. She noted that piracy results in significant financial losses for authors and disrupts the standard revenue chain between publishers and bookstores.