At the official launch of Litera A: Chronique de la syllabe de flamme, the writer offers a reflection on writing, memory, and the cycles of Malagasy history. Elie Ramanankavana presented Litera A and his reflections.

"I don't have a message, rather an idea. A symbol." With these opening words, Elie Ramanankavana introduced his new work, Litera A: Chronique de la syllabe de flamme, at its official launch on June 24 at Hakanto House Isoraka. For the author, the letter "A" transcends its simple alphabetic value: it symbolizes the crises that repeat themselves in Malagasy society, where the past seems to continually resurface.

Beyond this reflection on history, the writer places another question at the heart of his book: that of the boundaries between literary genres. "Where is the limit between the journalist, the poet, and the writer?" he asks. According to him, Litera A rests on a deliberate tension between journalistic writing and poetic creation. Poetry sits alongside current events narratives, giving birth to writing that is simultaneously sensitive, analytical, and literary. This approach leads to questioning the very meaning of writing: what does it mean to write an article, a poem, or more broadly, what does it mean to write?

The work brings together a poetic anthology drawn from his political chronicles dedicated to the popular uprising led by the Gen Z Madagascar movement between September 25 and October 11, 2025. While these texts are grounded in real facts, they go beyond simple event reporting to explore collective memory, prejudices, and mechanisms that seem to repeat over time.

Message

A cultural journalist, poet, and novelist, Elie Ramanankavana claims this dual sensitivity, where information nourishes literature and poetry illuminates current events. For him, this meeting between two forms of writing opens a new space for reflection on the author's role in the face of contemporary realities.

During the meeting, he also addressed an encouraging message to Malagasy writers, affirming that it is possible to publish in Madagascar, provided it is done with rigor and conviction. The launch continued with an exchange with artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, followed by a debate with the public on the condition of writers, journalists, and artists in Madagascar, before addressing the genesis and themes of the book.

Born in 1995, Elie Ramanankavana lives between Antananarivo and Manakara. A poet, novelist, cultural journalist, and art critic, he was awarded the No'OCultures Prize for photographic criticism in 2023.

Cassie Ramiandrasoa