This is how the photographer presents his pictures:
“In the Republic of Congo, the sun does not decline, it falls! As soon as it disappears, an inky night engulfs Brazzaville… Due to the incessant power cuts, as soon as night falls, the students go to revise their lessons by the light of the street lamps. The thirst for learning is the strongest; To learn, all means are good. At home, nothing works, the untimely noise of saucepans, the lack of electricity make it impossible to concentrate – and force you to go in search of a shelter that offers light and calm: the main arteries of the city, such as the public spaces: airport, garden roundabouts, cemeteries. On the edge of the Congo River we can see the light of Kinshasa. In this West African country of 5.2 million inhabitants, only 47% of the urban population has access to electricity. In Brazzaville, these students nicknamed “the ghosts of the corniches”, find refuge in what they call “the great library under the stars”. Equipped with flashlights or headlamps, they recite their history or language lessons there, like parrots. In memory of my own experience, where I wandered the streets reciting my lessons, I wanted to carry out this photographic project to show the circumstances that young Congolese and Africans have to face”.
Saison Photo de l’Epau 2022
Until November 6th, 2022
Abbaye Royale de l’Epau
Route de Changé
72530 Yvré l’Evêque
0243842229
https://epau.sarthe.fr/
