World Storytellers Forum: Senegal once again represented by Zoumba in the United Arab Emirates

Senegal is once again poised to showcase the power of its oral tradition beyond its borders. Writer and storyteller Pape Samba Sow, better known as "Zoumba," will represent the country for the seventh consecutive time at the 26th World Storytellers Forum, scheduled for September 20-23 in the United Arab Emirates. A major event dedicated to the art of storytelling, this gathering brings together renowned masters of oral tradition from around the world each year. This selection confirms Zoumba's central role among the figures who carry the nation's intangible cultural heritage to the international stage.

The storyteller from Saint-Louis is no stranger to success. In 2019, he was awarded the Magic Lamp trophy, before winning the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Best International Storyteller in 2022. This recognition was accompanied by his being named a Living Human Treasure, in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the preservation and transmission of oral heritage.

As with the 2025 edition, the Senegalese delegation will be represented this year by a duo: Zoumba and Ms. Cire Zagbayou, a sign language specialist. This unprecedented collaboration reflects a strong commitment to making the art of storytelling more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.

This 26th edition, however, holds a special significance for the artist. Zoumba will be making the trip under the new banner of "Saint-Louis, Capital of Culture," for which he will be one of the leading ambassadors on the international stage. Through his voice and stories, a whole facet of the cultural heritage of the old city and of Senegal will travel to the Middle East, offering Saint-Louis an opportunity to enhance its global cultural visibility.

From oral tradition to international stages, Zoumba continues his work as a transmitter of memory, with a now stated ambition: to make culture a powerful lever of influence for Saint-Louis and Senegal.