Désamour de la lecture : La FILDAK 2026 s'achève sur un constat alarmant de la jeunesse face aux livres
The decline in book reading, especially among young people, suggests that it will be extremely difficult for the literary world to see the emergence of great writers of the caliber of Cheikh Hamidou Kane or Mariama Bâ. A pool of talent is emerging, but this circle is so small that this shrinking list of authors worries literary figures. Meanwhile, at FILDAK, books are sold at affordable prices and explore highly informative topics.
However, at the Dakar International Book and Educational Materials Fair (FILDAK), book prices were reduced. On offer were all literary genres, including works on the Senegalese academic curriculum, as well as analyses of socio-economic, geopolitical, and religious situations from diverse perspectives. But during the period from October 15 to 19, 2026, this major event for literature lovers was also marked by sparsely populated booths.
Few young people took the time to visit the CICES (International Center for Foreign Trade of Senegal) to browse the aisles, leaf through books, or even buy textbooks. This was the case for Sokhna Aïda Sy (not her real name), a mechanical engineering student, book in hand, who came to buy books to strengthen her entrepreneurship skills: "I work in entrepreneurship and I know I can take advantage of the price reductions to buy books on entrepreneurship here." She wasn't alone. Daouda Diouf, a first-year Master's student in the history department at UCAD (Cheikh Anta Diop University), also explained: "I came to buy books about the security crisis in the Sahel because my thesis is on this subject."
When cultural luminaries freely pass on their legacy
Passing on a love of reading is very rare in homes these days. Yet, some great authors manage to inspire their children to take an interest in literature from a very young age. This is the case with Mamadou Samb, author of "Tales of Ndayane," who has successfully passed on this intellectual legacy to his grandsons, such as Famara Ibrahima Dramé, whom we met at a stand at the book fair in front of a display of books written by his grandfather. "My grandfather got us used to reading his works very early on, and this allowed us to develop a lasting attachment to reading."
At the book fair, there is no shortage of books for enriching knowledge. Ibrahima Théo Lam, a business leader and entrepreneur for over 22 years, specializes in writing books on youth and women's entrepreneurship in Africa. Author of "Women's Entrepreneurship in Africa," he frequents FILDAK to buy books by other authors to broaden his intellectual horizons, particularly on the topic of "African identity." This cultural figure doesn't hesitate to spend his own money on books, which he then gives directly to young people he meets in the aisles, with the aim of encouraging them to read.
Religious books also occupy a prominent place. Author Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké, son of the Mouride Caliph General Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, exhibited for the first time at FILDAK. His writings focus primarily on the work of Serigne Touba. "The goal is to enlighten the faithful about who Serigne Touba is and his works," the scholar explained.
The challenge facing young people in the face of the omnipresence of screens
Amidst all this intellectual richness, literary figures share a deep concern about the declining attendance at this major event. "I don't see much enthusiasm compared to previous years. Many young people aren't interested in such gatherings because here, we read and reflect. This drop in attendance is a shame. For me, if I don't read, I don't nourish myself intellectually, and I risk dying from it," confides writer and consultant Ibrahima Théo Lam.
The omnipresence of smartphones and social media could well explain this observed disengagement from literature. If this trend is not reversed quickly, the cultural world fears facing a genuine loss of the blank page in the years to come.
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