Cheikh Tidiane Gaye

**Cheikh Tidiane Gaye** (born 1971 in Thiès, Senegal) is a Senegalese-Italian writer, essayist, poet, and peace activist. He is known for his work in African literature and migrant literature in Italy. He also works to promote peace and cultural exchange.

## Biography

Cheikh Tidiane Gaye lives in Arcore, a town in the province of Monza and Brianza, Italy. He is the founder of the literary tradition of poetry and fiction in Arcore. He participates in many cultural events about African literature and the experience of immigration. Gaye has written several books, including novels and poetry collections. He is also known for translating works of African writers into Italian. He was the first African to translate the works of Léopold Sédar Senghor, a famous poet and former president of Senegal. Gaye is the founding president of the prestigious Léopold Sédar Senghor International Poetry Prize. The Prize is followed by over 400,000 poets worldwide.

In 2018, he founded Kanaga Edizioni, a publishing house. In 2023, he became the President of the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Academy. Gaye is also a member of many international academies, such as the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He has been honored by the French Republic, receiving the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.

### Political Involvement

In the 2011 municipal elections in Milan, Italy, Gaye ran as a candidate supporting the center-left political party. He continues to work for social change and peace in both Italy and Senegal.

## Memberships

- Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, 2024
- Member of the Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Literature of Europe, 2023
- Member of the Academia Hispanoamericana de Buenas Letras, 2023
- Honorary member of Academy Internacional "Mihai Eminescu", Romania, 2023.
- Member of the Academy of Arts and Philosophical Sciences of Bari, 2022
- Full member of the Tomitana Romania Academy – 2022.

## Bibliography

- _Il Giuramento_, Novel – Liberodiscrivere, Genoa, 2001.
- _Mery, principlesa albina_, with the preface by Alioune Badara Bèye, Novel – Edizioni dell’Arco, Milan, 2005.
- _Il Canto del Djali_, Poetry – Edizioni dell'Arco, Milan, 2007.
- _Ode nascente/Ode nascente_, Poetry- publication bilingual Italian-French, Edizioni dell'Arco, 2009.
- _Curve alfabetiche_, Poetry – Montedit Edizioni, 2011.
- _L’étreinte des rimes/ Rime abbracciate_, with the preface by Tanella Boni, poetry, Co-publication bilingual Italian-French, Éditions L'Harmattan Paris – France, 2012.
- _Prendi quello che vuoi, ma lasciami la mia pelle nera_, Novel- Preface by the Mayor of Milan Giuliano Pisapia, Editions Jaca Book Milan, 2013.
- _Léopold Sédar Senghor: il cantore della negritudine_, Poetry, Translation, Edizioni dell'Arco, 2014.
- _Ma terre mon sang,_ Poetry, Ruba Editions, Senegal, 2018
- _Il sangue delle parole,_ Poetry, Kanaga Edizioni, 2018
- _Ombra_, poetry, Kanaga Edizioni, 2022
- _Voglia Di Meticciato – Il Dialogo Tra Le Culture Ed Etica_, Essay, Kanaga Edizioni, 2022
- _Les Litanies du cœur_, Poetry, Kanaga Edizioni, 2023
- _Siamo l'umanità - Costruire la pace per il bene dell'umanità_, Essay, Kanaga Edizioni, 2024.

### Recognition

- Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France, 2024)
- President of the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Academy, 2023

## External Links

- Official website
- - Appointed Knight of Arts and Letters of the French Republic - Le poète et écrivain Cheikh Tidiane Gaye reçoit la médaille de l’Ordre des Chevaliers des Arts et des Lettres de la République Française
- - The poet Cheikh Tidiane Gaye receives the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Romania - Le poète Cheikh Tidiane Gaye reçoit le titre de Doctor Honoris Causa en Roumanie
- In Praise of Métissage: Text extracted from the work Voglia di meticciato and translated by Marie Orton
- Cheikh Tidiane Gaye: Mery principessa albina by Loredana De Vita