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Frankfurter Buchmesse

7 - 11 October 2026

African Comics: Decolonizing the image
Conversation

African Comics: Decolonizing the image

Litprom
Litprom
Germany
Frankfurt Calling
Global Stage (Foyer 5.1/6.1)
Sunday, Oct 11, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Europe/Berlin

Foyer 5.1/6.1

Global Stage (Foyer 5.1/6.1 | A1)
English
About

Publishers from Africa will discuss key questions with an expert on African comics: How can colonial imagery and traditional narrative patterns be challenged within the medium of comics – and how does this give rise to new perspectives that highlight diversity, self-empowerment and contradiction? The discussion will focus on power dynamics in storytelling: Who tells stories for whom – and under what conditions? Which images, characters and narratives shape the portrayal of African realities, and where do artists and publishers consciously create counter-narratives? Which languages and aesthetic codes are used in this process, and which communities and channels exist for dissemination – are (often Western-dominated) channels bypassed?

Following the stage slot, there will be a 30-minute book signing in the adjacent signing area.

An event organized by Litprom / Frankfurter Buchmesse and Weltkulturen Museum Frankfurt, with the following panelists:

Bourahima Zongo, Burkina Faso, Creative Advisor & Mentor, Éditions Grenier

Suyru Njoka, Cameroon, Public Relations Officer, Zebra Comics

Moderation: Joëlle Epée Mandengue 

Partner

Bilili BD Festival

Halle 4.0 / A76

Speakers

Joëlle Epée Mandengue

Comic Book Author, Curator

Njoka Suyru

Professional Freelance Translator, Public Relations OfficerZebra Comics

Bourahima Zongo

Comic Book Author, Screenwriter, Creative Advise, CoachÉditions Grenier