Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-03-19 02:45:00
Since 2004, Marie Michelle Razafintsalama has been involved in the field of youth publishing. In 1995, she began her journey in the world of books. In 2004, she created the youth publishing house “Éditions Jeunes Malgaches”.
Why did you create the publishing house “Éditions Jeunes Malgaches”?
The publishing house “Éditions Jeunes Malgaches” was created in 2004 with the aim of promoting reading among children. Her interest in reading emerged late, after working in a bookstore. She firmly believes that reading is essential for the linguistic and cultural enrichment of young people, hence her commitment to providing books suitable for their age and interests.
Can you describe the various responsibilities of a publishing house?
The work of a publisher is to bring to life a text written by an author. Authors submit their texts to us, and we work on them by adding illustrations, changing the format, and potentially adapting the language, including translating them into Braille for visually impaired readers. To do this, we have a team composed of a graphic designer and four illustrators responsible for enhancing the text. The author retains the copyright for each book sold, while the publishing house takes care of the entire process, including the budget for printing, book promotion, and managing partnerships with organizations such as NGOs, UNICEF, associations, ministries, libraries, and bookstores.
What obstacles do publishers have to overcome in Madagascar?
Beyond the rising costs of printing, mainly due to the importation of printing materials, we have found that most Malagasy people do not show a great interest in reading. We firmly believe that without readers, there are no books sold, and therefore no publishers.
What effective strategies do you find to ignite a passion for reading in children?
We encourage schools, whether public or private, to dedicate time to reading each day while providing access to well-stocked libraries. The love of reading is nurtured gradually, and it is essential to create an environment conducive to its development. That is why I founded the Association for the Promotion of Books and Reading in Madagascar (APLEM), with the aim of encouraging children to love reading while piquing their curiosity about Malagasy history and culture. We organize activities such as reading sessions in the streets with children and visits to schools.
What are your goals and projects to celebrate the 20th anniversary of your publishing house?
On the occasion of our 20th anniversary, we aim to launch a new collection highlighting the history of Madagascar, entitled “Tsiahy ny tantara”. This series of illustrated albums will tell the stories of people who lived through history during the royal period, colonization, or other periods. Additionally, we plan to create another collection of documentary books entitled “Ny Madagasikarako”, aiming to raise children’s awareness of Madagascar’s natural resources, such as cobalt, nickel, endemic plants, and the richness of aquatic life.
-Nicole Rafalimananjara
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
