In a rapidly changing African cultural landscape, the International Festival « la Semaine des Fous du Livre » (The Week of Book Fanatics), better known as FESTIFOUS, has established itself as one of the most dynamic and unifying literary events on the continent. Born in 2018 out of a strong will from its promoter, Marie Bertille Mawem, to place the book back at the heart of African societies, this festival goes far beyond a simple gathering of writers and is a true cultural, educational, and human experience.
In Yaoundé, Cameroon, every December, FESTIFOUS brings together authors, publishers, journalists, academics, businesses, patrons, and reading enthusiasts from several African countries and beyond. The 2025 edition, held from December 10 to 13 at the National Museum, brought together participants from around ten countries, confirming its international reach.
At the heart of this event lies a clear ambition : to reconcile young people with reading and stimulate literary creation. Through competitions, writing workshops, conferences and debates, book signings, and literary cafés, the festival creates total immersion in the world of books. Over 8,000 young people and 10,000 visitors took part in 2025, proof of its growing impact.
FESTIFOUS does not merely celebrate the book, it structures the entire literary value chain. Writers, booksellers, publishers, teachers, and institutions find a space for meeting, collaboration, and visibility. The festival thus acts as a catalyst for talent and a lever for professionalization and stakeholders in the sector.
One of the festival’s most eagerly awaited moments is undoubtedly the gala evening, dedicated to recognizing literary and cultural talent. The 2025 edition made a lasting impression with the presentation of around thirty awards covering more than twenty disciplines, ranging from literature to research, including publishing and cultural promotion.
Among these distinctions, the prestigious « Prix International Francis Bebey » occupies a central place. Created in tribute to Cameroonian writer, musician, and thinker Francis Bebey, this prize rewards an African voice whose work leaves a lasting mark on the imagination.
In 2025, the Francis Bebey Prize was awarded to Senegalese writer Idrissa Sow Gorkoodio for his remarkable body of work, thus confirming the festival’s Pan-African dimension and its high standards for literary quality.
Alongside this emblematic award, other distinctions honor publishing houses, cultural institutions, as well as the winners of literary competitions organized in advance throughout the year, further strengthening the book ecosystem.
Over its successive editions, FESTIFOUS has established itself as a true driver of social transformation. By raising awareness about reading, promoting African writers, and facilitating access to books, it actively contributes to enlightening minds and building an educated, engaged youth.
More than a festival, FESTIFOUS is today a vision : that of an Africa that reads, writes, and thinks for itself.
FESTIFOUS is an event with strong media and institutional potential. For brands, institutions, and partners, associating with it means investing in intelligence, culture, and the future.
FESTIFOUS invites you to its 7th edition, from December 9 to 12, 2026, at the Monument de la Réunification du Cameroun (Cameroon Reunification Monument).
Contact us at: +237 657 695 643 or write to us at: aflfousdulivre@gmail.com
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