Literature from Equatorial Guinea: Donato N'Dongo

Literature from Equatorial Guinea: Donato N'Dongo

Conversations with African Poets and Writers Series at the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress, in partnership with the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and SPAIN arts & culture, will host a conversation with the Equatorial Guinea author and journalist, Donato N’dongo.

Donato N’dongo was born in 1950 in Alén-Efack, Niefang district in the mainland of Equatorial Guinea. In 1965, he moved to Spain to continue his secondary education. In 1973, he obtained a Journalist degree from the Official School of Journalism, and in 1974 received a degree in History (specializing in Contemporary History) from the University of Barcelona. He was editor of the magazines Índice de Madrid, and Diario 16 of Madrid. He has published numerous articles in Spanish media such as Historia 16, Mundo Negro, La Aventura de la Historia and Consejeros, and newspapers El País, La Vanguardía and ABC. He has also been a contributor to Radio Exterior of Spain and Cadena Cope.

His books include History and Tragedy in Equatorial Guinea (Editorial Change 16, Madrid, 1977) and Spain in Guinea (Editions Sequitur, Madrid, 1997), the Anthology of Guinean Literature (Editora Nacional, Madrid , 1984), novels like Shadows of your Black Memory (several editions in Spanish, the first Editorial Fundamentals, Madrid, 1987), which was translated into English (Swan Isle Press, Chicago, 2007) and into French with the title of Les Ténèbres de ta mémoire (Editions Gallimard, Paris, 2004), and The power of the storm (Editorial Morandi, Madrid, 1997, second edition in the making), The Metro (Ediciones El Cobre, Barcelona, 2007; translated to Italian by Edizioni Goree, Siena, 2010).

Some of his stories have appeared in American magazines as The Iowa Review (Iowa University Press) and Transitions (Indiana University Press). He also has published additional articles in other American magazines.

He is considered by the critics as the creator of modern literature written in his country, and his work is studied at universities in many parts of the world. A figure among diverse anthologies of Literature, N’dongo is considered one of the most interesting creators of African literature today. Threatened with death in his country, he lives in exile in Spain for his stated opposition to the dictatorship in Equatorial Guinea.

Using an interview format, N’Dongo will discuss his writings and the literature of Equatorial Guinea to be followed by brief readings from his works. The interview will be conducted by Laverne Page, Area Specialist of the African and Middle Eastern Division and Georgette Dorn, Chief of the Hispanic Division will serve as translator during the program.

Allow sufficient time at the building’s entrance for security. This event is free and open to the public, no tickets or reservations are required. Request ASL and ADA accommodations five days in advance at (202)-707-6362.

  • Literature
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Apr 4, 2012
  • 12:00 pm

Venue

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

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Venue

African and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room, Second floor, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St., S.E., Washington, DC 20540

Phone

202-707-1979

More information

Venue's website

Credits

Co-sponsored by the Poetry and Literature Center and the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress.