On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles in Kinshasa came alive with the energy of children and literature during the Great Literary Back-to-School Event. Among the works highlighted during this special occasion was Elykia in Idjwi, the new book by author Julia Ilondo Nguini, published by Naviprojects.

The event provided an opportunity to officially introduce the book to the public, but above all, to create a meaningful encounter between the story and its young readers.

An Interactive Workshop with Young Readers

One of the highlights of the day was a workshop led by Jessica Modua, Naviprojects’ representative.

What made this workshop particularly special was that several of the students attending had already read Elykia in Idjwi. They were therefore not simply discovering the book for the first time, they had already met Elykia, followed her journey, and experienced her adventure on the island of Idjwi.

Jessica Modua guided the students through an engaging discussion about the story. The children shared their thoughts, reactions, questions, and observations, creating a lively exchange around the book.

This interaction highlighted the importance of giving young readers opportunities not only to read, but also to talk about books, ask questions, share their interpretations, and express how a story made them feel.

Through this workshop, Elykia in Idjwi moved beyond the pages of the book and became a starting point for conversation, reflection, and discovery.

A Celebration of Children’s Literature

The day also featured a lively performance by Obed, who did an excellent job entertaining and engaging the children.

His performance brought energy and excitement to the event and complemented the literary activities beautifully. The combination of reading, discussion, and entertainment made the Great Literary Back-to-School Event a memorable cultural experience for the young participants.

At Naviprojects, we believe that children’s literature can take many forms: it can be read, shared, discussed, performed, and experienced together.

Elodie Ngalaka: A Supportive Godmother

Another special presence at the event was Elodie Ngalaka, the godmother of Elykia in Idjwi and an author herself.

Her presence brought an additional literary dimension to the celebration. As an author, she represents the growing community of writers who contribute to the development of literature and encourage children to discover the joy and value of reading.

Her support for Elykia in Idjwi also reflects the importance of building connections between authors, young readers, publishers, and the wider literary community.

A New Journey for Elykia

With Elykia in Idjwi, Julia Ilondo Nguini invites young readers to follow Elykia on an adventure that takes them to the island of Idjwi and introduces them to its culture, environment, and realities.

The launch at the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles marked an important milestone in the life of the book. Seeing children who had already read the story take part in a discussion about it was a beautiful reminder of what we hope to achieve through Naviprojects’ publications: books that inspire children to read, think, ask questions, and discover the world around them.

The September 12, 2026 Great Literary Back-to-School Event was therefore much more than a book presentation. It was a celebration of reading, connection, creativity, and children’s literature.

And Elykia’s journey is only beginning.