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Abderrahmane Sissako: The Art of Welcoming in Africa
Abderrahmane Sissako, President of the Cinéfondation Jury and Short Films, Shares his Vision of the Art of Welcoming in Africa.
I had the pleasure of participating in the Hostelya forum in the city of Saint-Louis in Senegal in the company of Abderrahmane Sissako. Over the course of two days, we exchanged our views on the art of welcoming in the hotel industry. Numerous ‘best practices’ were displayed to demonstrate the art of welcoming in Africa, which benefits from a wealth of riches that contribute to this art of welcoming. I met up with several personalities, and in the coming weeks, I will present to you various interviews on this subject.
At the event, I was able to speak with Abderrahmane Sissako, a director from Timbuktu who has accumulated 7 Césars. I asked him about his vision of African hospitality and the art of welcoming in Africa. He is a man of great generosity and possesses a very welcoming nature. He is someone who clearly draws pleasure in recalling his experiences and speaking about his country and his culture. In short, he is among the great poets of Africa.
What can you tell me about the art of welcoming in Africa?
I would argue that there is an art of welcoming in many places, beyond Africa alone. The world in general, in as much as it brings a certain dimension, is welcoming anywhere you go. Each person has his own style of welcome; in some places, it’s more pronounced. In Brittany, for instance, I find it takes a bit of time, but in the end, it is a region that is still just as friendly and open.
For me, what makes Africa stand out is the kindness of the staff in African hotels throughout one’s stay. The staff’s reception at the time of the client’s arrival is also a strong point. Whether this be on the part of the receptionist, the cuisine staff, the room service, there is always something very warm and kind. You will also find this outside on the street. This forms a part of our traditions and our culture. Hospitality has had a longstanding presence in the African culture.
Abderrahmane Sissako’s Biography:
Abderrahmane Sissako
Abderrahmane Sissako is a filmmaker and film-producer. Mauritanian by origin, he was born on October 13, 1961 in Kiffa, a small town 600 km to the south of the capital Nouakchott. Across his works, he addresses themes such as exile, displacement, and escape. He often depicts Africa by drawing from his own experiences. In 2015, he was awarded a César for Best Director – a first for an African filmmaker – for his film Timbuktu, which explores the consequences of the Jihadist occupation of Mali.
Abderrahmane Sissako Timbuktu
Laurent Delporte, an editor and conference speaker, is a strategic expert in the sector of hotels. A visionary, he brings his unique look on hotels in service to the decision-makers in the industry, whether to enhance the development of new projects or strategic visions.
Laurent has visited and audited over 350 hotels across the world and also participates in mystery visits to provide quality control for the world’s finest hotels.
