Senegal wins first jury prize at the Algerian-African University Theater Festival

Senegal distinguished itself on the African cultural scene by winning the First Jury Prize at the Algerian-African University Theater Festival, organized in Algiers (Algeria). This meeting brought together higher drama schools from 16 African countries, coming from the four corners of the continent to celebrate university theater creation.

The distinction was awarded to the play “Seed of Discord”, a work which carries a powerful message about African unity and the destructive consequences of revenge.

The play tells the story of Mamadou and Demba, two inseparable friends. Their relationship changes the day Mamadou’s red hen enters Demba’s field and pecks at a simple seed. In retaliation, Demba kills the chicken. Hurt and driven by anger, Mamadou sets fire to his former friend’s field. The fire spread quickly and devastated a large part of the village. What was initially just a trivial dispute gradually degenerated into a large-scale conflict, until it took on the proportions of a world war.

Through this staging, the authors deliver a universal lesson: there are no small quarrels, but only small minds who do not know how far revenge can lead. A strong call for dialogue, tolerance and the preservation of unity among African people.

The Algerian-African University Theater Festival, organized from July 13 to 20 in Algiers, also awarded prizes in the categories of best musical composition, best scenography, best text, best actor, best actress and best show. The First Jury Prize won by Senegal recognizes the talent of young Senegalese theatrical creation and its influence on the African cultural scene.