Congo - Culture - The highly influential Poto-Poto school

Founded in 1951 by Frenchman Pierre Lods, the Poto-Poto School of Painting has trained several thousand artists, some of whom are internationally renowned. It constitutes an important legacy of Congolese heritage.

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Built at the foot of a baobab tree, the Poto-Poto painting school is bordered by other trees that protect the building like a bird's nest. The school's alumni include internationally renowned painters such as Marcel Gotène, François Thango, François Iloki, Philippe Ouassa, Jacques Zigoma, André M'Bon, and Michel Hengo. Some have settled abroad. Under the influence of Félix Ossali, Lods's first student, the Miké style, which means "small" in Lingala, developed. Composed of small figures with schematic and slender forms, it is reminiscent of the rock paintings of Tassili. The Miké style was in vogue between 1950 and 1954. This easily recognizable style is still the school's signature today. It will be copied throughout Africa.

The school's recognition quickly spread beyond the borders of Congo. The first group exhibition took place in 1952 at the Palmes Gallery in Paris. Its recognition came in 1955-1956 during the exhibition at the MOMA in New York. It was confirmed in 1958, when several members represented the Poto-Poto school at the Brussels World's Fair.

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Today, the second generation of painters from the Poto-Poto School fully embraces their heritage, moving from African tradition to universal modernity. No longer limited to producing "mikes" or subjects treated in flat tints, generally outlined in black in the manner of their elders, or to ritual themes, they are embarking on productions in a more naturalistic, impressionistic, or abstract style. Their works still bear the acronym PPP: Poto-Poto Painter. With each sale, 30 % automatically goes into a collective fund to ensure the proper functioning of the School... Among these artists are Pierre Claver N'Gampio, Sylvestre Mangouandza, Jacques Iloki, Gerly Mpo, Antoine Sitta, Adam Opou, Serge Dezon, Laeticia Mahoungou, Thierry Bongoualenga, René Bokoulemba, Romain Sylvère Mayoulou, Vanessa Agnagna, Albin Massa, Aris Dihoulou, etc.

In 2002, the school received the UNESCO Picasso Medal. In 2014, the Georges Pompidou – Beaubourg National Centre for Art and Culture in Paris exhibited masterpieces by Marcel Gotene, Nicolas Ondongo, and Jacques Zigoma as part of the exhibition "From One Shore to Another."

The school now receives a grant from UNESCO, and Parfait Mbon, the school's director, will set up a virtual gallery to allow artists to sell their works worldwide.

1953-2023: 70 years of Congolese literature

It has been 70 years since written Congolese literature began to assert itself and spread beyond its borders thanks to the genius of its talented writers. Congo stands out for its uniqueness within the literary world of French-speaking Africa. Although a modestly sized country, it nevertheless constitutes one of the most important breeding grounds for French-speaking African writers. Its large number of authors and their creative effervescence expressed through the various genres of modern writing—novels, poetry, theater, and short stories—testify to the existence of a true national literature, with Henri Lopes, Sony Labou Tansi, Julien Mabiala Bissila, Emmanuel Dongala, André Yaba, Aimé Éyengué, Bertrand Nguyen Matoko, and many others.

In this rich array, Alain Mabanckou is today one of the major authors of contemporary Congolese literature. He is the first writer to hold the International Chair of Artistic Creation at the Collège de France.