The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), in partnership with the Alliance Française network in Southern Africa, Air France, and the Franschhoek Literary Festival, presents a series of public conversations with author Daphnée Breytenbach and writer and translator Georges Lory across South Africa in May 2026.
Bringing together literary reflection, translation, memory and contemporary cultural debate, the tour will explore the circulation of stories between France and South Africa, as well as the continuing place of literature and poetry in contemporary public life.
Daphnée Breytenbach is a journalist, author and the daughter of South African and French poet Breyten Breytenbach. Her first novel, Mon pays n’existe pas (Grasset, 2026), examines exile, memory and identity through personal and historical narratives.
Georges Lory is a writer, translator and recognised specialist in South African literature and French translation. He was also Director of the Alliance Française in Johannesburg (2009 – 2013). Over several decades, he has translated major South African authors including Deon Meyer, J.M. Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer into French. He is also the translator of the recent bilingual anthology of Breyten Breytenbach’s poetry, Capturer le vent, published with the support of IFAS in 2025. His recent publication, Les strelitzias (2026), reflects on fifty years of encounters with South African writers and literary figures.
The programme will include discussions on literary transmission, multilingualism, translation, poetry and the relevance of literature in an increasingly digital and image-saturated environment. Several conversations will also revisit the legacy of South African and French author Breyten Breytenbach and consider the place of poetry as a form of protest, reflection and public engagement thirty years into South Africa’s democracy.
The tour is open to the public and invites readers, students, writers and audiences across South Africa to engage with contemporary conversations on literature, translation and cultural exchange.
“This series of conversations highlights the enduring role of literature in connecting people across languages and national contexts. The presence of Daphnée Breytenbach and Georges Lory offers an opportunity to reflect on the strength of literary ties between South Africa and France, and on the circulation of ideas between both countries. It also reflects IFAS’s commitment to supporting literary translation between South African languages and French, as illustrated through the publication of Capturer le vent,” said Jean Spiri, Director of IFAS.
Tour programme:
Cape Town
Alliance Française Cape Town
South African Literature Conversation
Friday, 15 May 2026 at 17:30
RSVP here
Franschhoek
Franschhoek Literary Festival
Breytenbach’s lasting influence on French and South African literature
Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 13:00
Tickets available here
Johannesburg
Alliance Française Johannesburg
Translating, writing, transmitting: circulations and legacies in South African literature
Monday, 18 May 2026 at 18:00
RSVP here
Pretoria
Alliance Française Pretoria
Conversations on poetry and literature in South Africa
Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 17:30
RSVP here
Potchefstroom
Alliance Française Potchefstroom
Translating stories across South African languages
Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 18:30
RSVP here
Pietermaritzburg
Alliance Française Pietermaritzburg / Centre for Visual Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal
French Footsteps in Contemporary South African Fiction
Monday, 25 May 2026 at 11:00
RSVP here
Johannesburg
Dibukafé – French Institute of South Africa
Breytenbach reimagined: poetry in the age of distraction
Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at 17:30
RSVP here
This tour forms part of IFAS’s continued support for literary exchange between France and Southern Africa and contributes to broader conversations on language, memory and artistic transmission across generations.
About the French Institute of South Africa
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) is the French cultural institute in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. Based in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, IFAS develops projects across the fields of literature, visual arts, music, performance, debate and academic cooperation, supporting dialogue between French and Southern African artists, researchers and cultural institutions.
About the Alliance Française network in Southern Africa
The Alliance Française is a world-wide non-profit, apolitical and non-religious network devoted to promoting French language and Francophone cultures. The Alliance Française is the world’s largest French teaching centre with over 800 organisations in 134 countries, serving over 500 000 students every year, recognised and sponsored by the French government. In Southern Africa 18 Alliance Françaises are present in Botswana (1), Lesotho (1), Malawi (1), South Africa (11), Eswatini (1), Zambia (1) and Zimbabwe (2).
About Air France
As the French flag carrier and a global leader in air transport for more than 90 years, Air France continues to embody the French art of travel, connecting France with the world through an extensive international network. The airline serves over 190 destinations across nearly 80 countries and is recognized for its premium service, innovation, and commitment to excellence in customer experience. From Johannesburg, Air France operates direct flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, offering seamless access to Europe and beyond through its global network. Between the end of May and September, the airline is scheduled to operate daily nonstop services from Johannesburg to Paris, with approximately seven flights per week on the route. Sustainability remains at the heart of Air France’s long-term strategy. Through fleet modernisation, the increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and eco-piloting initiatives, the airline aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% per passenger-kilometre by 2030, compared with 2019 levels. Air France also continues to develop more responsible travel solutions, including intermodal rail and air partnerships in collaboration with the SNCF, helping customers reduce the environmental impact of their journeys.
About Franschhoek Literary Festival
The Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) is an annual cultural highlight held on the third weekend in May, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. The FLF provides a platform for open and progressive discourse with participation from renowned local and international authors and thought leaders. Informal discussions are the hallmark of the festival with spirited debates on a variety of topical issues. Not forgetting the lighter, inspirational, and fun sessions guaranteed to stimulate the senses. Business breakfasts, poetry performances, film screenings and writing workshops complete the excellent offering of the FLF.
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