Léopold Sédar Senghor in the magazine era

Resumo

This article revisits the general context in which the ideas shaping the thought of L. S. Senghor were developed. It outlines the contours of these ideas and the stakes that drive the Négritude movement in response to the growing aspirations for independence in the French colonies, with Paris as its main hub of activity. It was during this period that several decisive events were organized, namely the two Congresses of Black Writers and Artists in 1956 (Paris) and 1959 (Rome), as well as the First World Festival of Negro Arts in 1966. The latter contributed to building Dakar’s image as a cultural and intellectual capital. Repositioning Senghor within this period requires a dual approach. In the first part, the focus is on the fundamentally cultural aspects of Pan-Africanism, rooted in both Anglophone and Francophone intellectual spheres. Senghor moves within this world, where he meets key historical figures. The publications of the time reflect complex divergences among African intellectuals regarding their stance on colonization. This fragmentation is evident in the genealogy of subversive journals, which were often short-lived due to internal disagreements among their leaders or repression by the colonial authorities. In the second part, the journal Présence africaine is presented within a global map of periodicals and their positions on independence and liberation struggles. From the outset, this journal has served as a rich forum for debates on African arts, publishing texts by prominent experts. The various articles on classical arts go beyond ethnological analysis to explore aesthetic dimensions. Moreover, the journal accompanies scientific gatherings by publishing their proceedings. This period is marked by a vibrant intellectual and literary history, in which Senghor was both a privileged witness and a key player.