“Fatshimetrie: A National Library Adrift”
The National Library of the DR Congo, also known as Fatshimetrie, is a reflection of a cultural institution in a state of disrepair. The observation is bitter: dilapidated premises, obsolete documentation, uncomfortable reading rooms. A recent visit by MP Léonard She Okitundu highlighted the urgent need to modernize this library, a true heritage jewel of the country.
As the leading French-speaking country, the DRC deserves a modern and digital library, offering citizens easy access to a wide range of information resources. Access to knowledge through traditional books and digital platforms is a crucial issue to encourage reading and writing among the Congolese population.
Léonard She Okitundu rightly emphasizes that promoting a taste for reading and writing is essential for the cultural and economic development of the country. A national library worthy of the name must become the crucible of knowledge, thus promoting the intellectual development of the population.
For his part, the Director General of the National Library, Georges Mulumba, rightly calls for substantial investments from the State to modernize this cultural institution. Because a modernized national library is of crucial importance for the promotion and preservation of the French language and contributes to linguistic diversification.
The commitment of the Ambassador of France to the DR Congo, Remi Maréchaux, is a positive signal. His support for the modernization of Fatshimetrie should encourage the authorities to put in place concrete measures to restore this institution to its former glory.
Ultimately, the modernization of the National Library of the DR Congo is an essential step in revitalizing the country’s cultural and intellectual heritage. It will contribute to improving education, research and the dissemination of knowledge within Congolese society. It is high time to act to preserve and promote this emblematic place of Congolese culture, for present and future generations.