“Exile is not our kingdom: reflections on diasporic literature” is the theme of an international symposium that opened on Wednesday in Rabat, bringing together a distinguished group of academics and intellectuals from Morocco and beyond.
Organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, the symposium aims to provide a space to explore the connections between exile, culture, and literature on a global scale, to highlight the latest developments in diaspora literature and its multifaceted effects on culture, identity and language. And to identify the challenges tied to migration.
On this occasion, the Secretary of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Abdeljalil Lahjomri, said that exile is a painful experience for some, but also an opportunity for renewal for others. “In African history, as elsewere, exile has its causes, such as wars, political crises, colonization, and the erasure of what history and geography have established,” wrote in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mohammed Essaouri, a member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. When exile is not a banishment and instead appears as an exploration meant to bear witness to the grandeur of creation, or as an initiation into the wonders of the world, it can also be a choice—a decision to set out toward other horizons and open oneself to new perspectives, he continued, adding that, whatever the reason, exile irrevocably transforms individuals, raising questions about the meaning of belonging and the very notion of “home.”
Mr. Lahjomri also pointed out that exile is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, as writers in exile find in it a way to transcend the pain of departure, give voice to their wanderings, and recreate, through words, a place of grounding. He noted that diaspora authors, in particular, carry a dual memory—that of their homeland and that of their host land.
For his part, the president of Tuskegee University in the United States, Marc Brown, emphasized that the theme chosen for this symposium intersects with the trajectory of the American university, which was founded 16 years after the abolition of slavery in the United States by Booker T. Washington. “Booker T. Washington, one of the most eminent African-American leaders and thinkers, firmly believed that the unity of peoples of African origin was essential to economic, social, scientific, and political progress,” he added.
Meanwhile, the president of the International Committee of African Scientists and Experts (SCISEA), Professor Grégoire Biyogo, observed that since antiquity, the question of exile has continually captivated literature, noting that the inspiration drawn from exile is a multidimensional matter. “Narratives of exile recount the cruel and spontaneous story of a person’s separation from their homeland, their land, their earliest roots. It is the story of distancing oneself, rediscovering other borders, and encountering new places,” he said. The proceedings of this international symposium will continue on Thursday with the participation of a host of academics who will offer unique perspectives on exile, migration, and literature.
