Mail & Guardian · 2010-03-05 · written interview
In this 2010 interview with the Mail & Guardian, Ivorian author, poet, and painter Véronique Tadjo discusses the complexities of identity and the socio-political landscape of Côte d’Ivoire. The profile explores her literary works, including As the Crow Flies, Queen Pokou, and The Blind Kingdom, highlighting her use of myth and experimental narrative to challenge fixed identities. Tadjo reflects on the concept of Ivoirité, the tensions between modernity and tradition, and her dual heritage. As a lecturer at Wits University, she emphasizes literature’s role in fostering diversity and active reader participation, positioning herself as a chronicler of both African miracles and mirages.