FAMOUS PERSONS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

GUY MENGA
Guy Menga is remembered as one of the first Congolese playwrights who set the tone for modern Congolese literature in the 1970?s. Along his side were other creative and talented authors such as Makouta-Mboukou, Henri Lopès, Emmanuelle Dongala, Tchichelle Tchivela or Sony Labou Tansi who also achieved an international reputation.

HENRI LOPÈS
Henri Lopès, the current Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to France, is certainly known for his sophisticated writing style, pointing out the paradox of African states' independence, and activism on cultural diversity in literature. Some of his most acclaimed works include Le Pleurer-rire (The Laughing Cry published in 1982), Tribaliques ( Tribaliks, 1971), Sans tam tam ( Revolutions without drums, 1977) and Le Lys et le Flamboyant ( The Lys and the flamboyant tree, 1997). His recent book entitled, Un enfant de Poto-Poto (A Child from Poto-Poto, 2011) recounts the identity dilemma of the early Congolese diaspora in post-colonial Congo. In 1993, the French Academy awarded him the Grand Prix de la Francophonie. Following the publications of literary works, he became honorary doctor at the University of Paris XII and University of Quebec.