French Literature Reviews - 2026

A. C. Touré, La Griotique — Memoirs and Reflections
Theatre and Performance

Aboubakar Cyprien Touré, La Griotique — Memoirs and Reflections

Harmattan Côte d'Ivoire, 2014.

186 p.

EAN 9782343021805 (EAN Ebook format Pdf: 9782336337920)

18.00 EUR (digital version: 13.50 EUR)

Publisher's Overview:

La Griotique is a theatrical concept designed to express Sub-Saharan African poetic orality in all its modernity and authenticity. Through these memoirs and reflections on La Griotique, the author offers an original and meticulous reinterpretation of the history of 20th-century Sub-Saharan African theatrical practice. He opens up prospects for a profound renewal of both our stage and theatrical creativity and the critical and aesthetic reflection surrounding it.

Aboubakar Cyprien Touré holds a Ph.D. in Theatre Studies from Paris VIII University and teaches at the University of Abidjan.

Rooted in the rich tradition of Sub-Saharan African poetic orality, the concept of La Griotique seeks to bridge ancestral storytelling practices with contemporary dramatic art. By examining twentieth-century performance history through this unique lens, the work addresses long-standing questions regarding authenticity and innovation on the stage. The author draws upon rigorous academic research in theatre studies to propose a thorough reassessment of how dramatic texts and performances are conceived, analyzed, and received within contemporary artistic discourse.

This reflective volume serves as a valuable resource for theatre practitioners, scholars of African literature, and students interested in the evolution of postcolonial performance arts. It offers theoretical tools and aesthetic perspectives designed to invigorate both creative stage direction and critical scholarship. Readers seeking to understand the dynamic intersections between traditional oral heritage and modern theatrical expression will find this work an insightful guide to the future of African dramatic arts.