“I believe that literature starts with the feeling that you have lost something, and you are alone.” Explore the profound influence of literature on the life and work of acclaimed Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr.
Reflecting on his formative years, Sarr shares, “When I was a young child, maybe it's the first thing that I discovered with the feeling that my life would have something to do with literature.” He recalls the transformative power of tales from his family, particularly the women whose voices painted vivid narratives alternating joy and terror. These early experiences, according to Sarr, established literature as his lens for understanding political, existential, and social questions: “My first option is to find out something in books, to open books, to open novels, to open essays, philosophy essays or literature, to discover and to understand things.”
Sarr describes the complexity of his favorite tale, which changes with each telling, embodying the traditional motif of twins symbolizing opposing forces. This theme resonates in his own writing, where he explores the duality of tradition and modernity. Sarr emphasizes the inherent solitude in the writing process, a solitude intensified by his experience as a migrant, which drives his creative expression: “I believe that literature starts with the feeling that you have lost something, and you are alone.”
The interview further delves into the political dimensions of literature, discussing the legacy of African writers like Yambo Ouologuem and the challenges of navigating multiple literary canons. Sarr candidly reflects on the continued relevance of these issues: “Literature is a political thing as well. I wish the political dimension wasn't sometimes harsh for some people.”
Sarr concludes by celebrating the enduring power of books, envisioning a future where African writers can freely draw from diverse literary traditions: “We can use every canon we want, we can just create what we want and I think it's the most beautiful part of that story.”
About Mohamed Mbougar Sarr: Born in 1990 in Dakar, Senegal, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr is an influential novelist recognized for his literary prowess. His notable works include La Cale (2014), Silence du chœur (2017), and La plus secrète mémoire des hommes (2021), the latter of which won the prestigious Prix Goncourt. Sarr’s writing often explores themes of identity, exile, and the interplay between African and European literary traditions.
Mohamed Mbougar Sarr was interviewed in May 2023 by Lotte Folke Kaarsholm at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark.
Camera: Rasmus Quistgaard
Edit: Signe Boe Pedersen
Produced by Christian Lund
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2024.
Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet, C.L. Davids Fond og Samling, and Fritz Hansen.
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