Yaounde International Book Fair : U.S. Ambassador Lauds Cameroonian Literature

“My family name wasn’t always Lamora,” U.S. Ambassador Christopher John Lamora revealed to an eager audience at the Yaounde International Book Fair. “We were originally ‘Lamoureux,’ a French name from Canada, meaning ‘lover.’ And while the name was Anglicized, one thing didn’t: I am still a true lover of books.”
The exchanges were moderated by the Director of the book fair, Matchadje Yogolipaka, who ensured a smooth flow of discussions between the United States Diplomat, the audience filled with book lovers, publishers and visitors and a cross-section of representatives from Cameroon’s education Ministries. 
Sitting among the enthusiastic crowd, Cameroon Tribune gathered that many were in awe of the Ambassador’s love for a culture which was not his. H.E. Lamora shared that literature has always been a gateway to understanding the world. His first encounter with Africa came through “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, which sparked a deeper exploration of African literature. “Reading is a tool for education, for emancipation, for innovation, every child should be introduced to it as soon as they can read,” he emphasized. The Ambassador recalled his discovery of Cameroon’s literary landscape, citing “Cruel City” by Mongo Beti who is his favorite Cameroonian author and “Houseboy” by Ferdinand Oyono. Novels that delve into the realities of colonial ...