Sarr’s writing often explores themes of identity, exile, and the interplay between African and European literary traditions. In this interview, the Prix Goncourt winner explains that while colonization may be over in a formal sense, its mental and cultural ramifications are still deeply felt.

As a writer working in French – Senegal’s colonial language – Sarr faces the complex challenge of reconciling different cultural traditions. “I’m the heir of many, at least two cultural traditions, very, very different,” he explains, referencing both French and Senegalese languages such as Wolof and Serer.

Sarr touches on the tension between Senegalese identity and the use of French, a language that is not only a medium of expression but also a colonial legacy. Sarr feels that colonialism’s influence extends into how people think, interact, and organize their societies. French military presence and currency systems in former colonies remain reminders of this historical connection.

While acknowledging the complexities of his dual linguistic and cultural heritage, Sarr calls for a future built on mutual understanding. “We all want peace,” he states, stressing the need to address the past in order to move forward.

Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, born in 1990 in Dakar, Senegal, 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.

Mohamed Mbougar Sarr was interviewed by Lotte Folke Kaarsholm at the French Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, in May 2023.

Camera: Rasmus Quistgaard
Edit: Signe Boe Pedersen
Produced by Christian Lund
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2024.

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