FRG25 Share Independence meeting with a writer

As part of the Writing of the Americas festival, students from Collège de la Désirade had the privilege of meeting author Katia Dansonko Touré to discuss her book, *The Solitude of Blue Notes*. This literary encounter was a rich experience filled with exchanges, discoveries, and emotions. The students, curious and attentive, were able to engage in dialogue with the author about the themes explored in her book, including adolescence, solitude, self-discovery, and the search for freedom. In *The Solitude of Blue Notes*, Katia Dansonko Touré tells the story of a young teenager facing the doubts, questions, and difficulties inherent to this pivotal age in life. Through music and writing, the protagonist gradually learns to better understand herself, to assert her personality, and to find her place in the world. The novel also highlights the path to independence: despite obstacles and misunderstandings, the young girl succeeds in gaining confidence and building her own freedom. During the meeting, the author explained to the students how she had created her characters and why she had chosen to address themes so relevant to young people's concerns. The middle school students were able to read excerpts from the novel and ask numerous questions about the writing profession, the author's inspirations, and the role of music in the story. This exchange allowed the students to discover contemporary literature in a new way, bringing the book to life through the author's words. Organized as part of the Writing of the Americas festival, this meeting encouraged the young people to reflect on the stages of adolescence, the importance of self-belief, and the possibility of gradually becoming independent. It was a significant cultural and personal experience for the students of the Désirade middle school.