Literary Salon in Landau: Azouz Begag talks about escape and hope

Literary Salon in Landau: Azouz Begag talks about escape and hope

On June 4, 2025, the Literary Salon will take place in the Small Hall of the Art Nouveau Festival Hall in Landau. Organized by the German-French Society (DFG) Landau and the Romance Studies department at the Rhein-Pfalz Technical University (RPTU), the event promises an evening that combines literature and important social issues. Admission is free, donations are welcome.

The guest of the evening is Azouz Begag, a renowned children's book author and doctor of economics, who takes his place in politics as a former minister for equal opportunities. Begag will read from his current work "Né pour partir. Récit de Mamadou, migrant mineur de Guinée". This book tells the refugee story of a young Guinean and highlights the challenges migrants face. The reading will be moderated by Dr. Margarete Mehdorn, qualified interpreter.

Insights into young adult literature

The book by Begag and Mamadou Sow is among the novels selected for the 2024-2025 edition of the “Prix des lycéens allesmands”, a project supported by the Institut français d’Allemagne (IFA). The selection committee, consisting of representatives from various organizations, selected three young adult novels that are characterized by literary quality and thematic relevance. In addition to Begag's work, these are:

• **On ne sépare pas les morts d’amour** von Muriel Zürcher, der eine Geschichte von Liebe und Freundschaft in verfeindeten Wohnvierteln erzählt.
• **Une année pour toujours** von Lucile de Pesloüan, das die emotionale Reise einer 14-jährigen Malou thematisiert.
• **Né pour partir** von Azouz Begag und Mamadou Sow, welches die Migration nach Frankreich durch die Augen eines Jugendlichen schildert.

These novels not only reflect contemporary youth literature, but also deal with current topics such as migration, integration and interpersonal relationships. As part of the project, virtual meetings with the authors are also planned to promote exchange with readers.

Migration and integration in focus

The literary salon and the works presented fit into a broader discourse about migration and integration. The 2006 migration report from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) points out that the number of people with a migrant background in Germany has risen continuously from the first “guest workers” to the present day. This social change is often critically examined by the mass media and shapes the image of migrants and ethnic minorities.

It is also important to address the educational disadvantages of children with a migrant background. Educational policy measures must therefore be reconsidered in order to promote equality and equal opportunities. Literature, like the works featured in the Literary Salon, can play a crucial role in breaking down barriers and promoting empathy.

The Literary Salon with Azouz Begag will therefore not only be a cultural event, but also a forum for discussing issues that affect many young people and their families.

Overall, the Literary Salon is an important testimony to the role of literature in the discussion of social issues and integration. The experiences of migrant realities should take a central place in public perception in order to reduce prejudices and promote intercultural dialogue.