The New Ouverture: Freedom of Expression for Twenty-First Century Senegalese Creatives

• In Event: Saint Louis to Saint Louis: Tracing Senegalese Urban Ecologies Across Class, Gender, and Language

Description for Program

To understand the artistic and political climate for creatives in Senegal, abundant research has been conducted exploring freedom of expression during and post Leopold Sédar Senghor’s presidency. Scholars such as Joshua I. Cohen have examined how during Senghor’s presidency, his politicization of the Negritude movement restrained the artistic mobility of Senegalese creatives. Additionally, scholars such as Tracy D. Snipe, have examined how creative mobility evolved in post-senghorienne Senegal throughout the presidencies of Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade. However, the bulk of this research stops at the turn of the century with few scholars having investigated the creative environment for Senegalese poets, fiction writers, and cinematographers in the twenty-first century. Through semi-structured interviews, this research investigates how the artistic culture of Senegal has changed since its independence, the extent to which poets, fiction writers, and filmmakers can exercise freedom of expression, and the benefits and limitations that this artistic freedom provides to Senegalese creatives today. The findings suggest that perspectives of artistic freedom are not monolithic among Senegalese creatives, and the perception of this freedom is met with praise and critique. Fiction writers find the option to self-publish liberating while feeling that the lack of state funding for the arts limits their ability. Additionally, some creatives find the lessening of societal pressure to write in French or in a language locale is freeing, while simultaneously believing that the prioritization of the French language in education is a continuation of colonial institutions. The complexity of these findings highlights the nuanced nature of creative expression for contemporary Senegalese poets, fiction writers, and filmmakers.

Author

• Tyra Frazier, Washington University in St. Louis