Beninese writer Olympe bhêly-Quenum celebrates 100th birthday
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Olympe Bhêly-Quenum, a writer from Benin, turned 100 years old on September 20, 2026, in Ouidah.
Born in the former Dahomey, he established himself as an important figure in African literature, education, journalism, and cultural studies. He first studied classical letters and philosophy in France, earning degrees from the University of Caen and the Sorbonne in Paris. Bhêly-Quenum then taught classical letters at several French high schools before entering the diplomatic field.
He completed internships at France’s Foreign Ministry and diplomatic representations in Italy, also earning a diploma in overseas studies. In 1963, he became manager of a press company and later editor-in-chief of La Vie Africaine magazine. He and his wife founded L’Afrique Actuelle, a French-English magazine, which he led until 1969. Bhêly-Quenum also worked with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) as an expert on African literature and culture.
He published his first novel, Un piège sans fin, in 1960, and continued to write novels and short stories exploring African traditions, beliefs, and social changes. His most recent book, La Danse du Grand Prêtre, came out in Benin in 2022. Beninese President Romuald Wadagni honored Bhêly-Quenum on his birthday, recognizing a century of memory and contribution to Benin’s cultural presence.
