Mauritian Schoolboy, 11, Publishes Trilingual Tale Inspired by Oil Spill Heroism

Kylian Razaze, an 11-year-old artist and student from Mauritius, has published his first children’s book, a trilingual tale inspired by the 2020 Wakashio oil spill. Lavantir Kiki ek so bann kamarad (The Adventure of Kiki and his Friends), which celebrates courage, friendship, and environmental protection, will be launched on 30 October at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African and Creole Culture.

The young creator, who is also an illustrator, dancer, inventor of toys, and storyteller, drew inspiration for the book from a real-life event: the aftermath of the Wakashio grounding. At the age of five, the oil slick deeply affected Kylian, prompting him to take action.

Story Rooted in Real-Life Environmental Action

The book is based on Kylian’s own experience of donating his hair to contribute to the ocean cleanup effort. “The idea came from a Greenpeace project on ocean protection.

My godmother, Aurélie Hector, encouraged me to write a story,” Kylian explained. “That’s how Lavantir Kiki was born—inspired by the Wakashio oil spill, when I decided to cut my hair to contribute, in my own way, to the protection of the ocean.”

Though his parents deemed the main cleanup work too dangerous for him at the time, Kylian saw an opportunity to help when they suggested donating hair to make absorbent booms. “I understood that even as a child, you can act and make a difference,” he said.

The characters in the illustrated work are inspired by his family and himself, and his love for marine animals influenced many of the drawings.

International Recognition and Publication

The story received international attention in 2021 when Kylian’s moving testimony earned him the Storytelling Grant from Greenpeace’s international project, Vital Ocean Voices.

This grant enabled him to digitally illustrate his narrative, which was subsequently published on an international blog on 2 August 2025.

Driven by a dream to turn it into a book, Kylian received support from various local organisations from 2021, including Jean Mee Sandian, Centre Point, Rotary, and the Nelson Mandela Centre, which became involved in 2025, leading to the publication of the book.

The book will be available for Rs 250 at various outlets, including the Nelson Mandela Centre, Book Store, and Le Château de Labourdonnais.

Championing Creole Language and Culture

The Nelson Mandela Centre for African and Creole Culture highlighted the work’s importance in valuing linguistic and cultural heritage.

A representative from the centre underscored the book’s role, stating: “Through this trilingual tale, the Mauritian Creole language becomes a vehicle for transmission, education, and cultural pride… promoting the Creole language and culture, while supporting and valuing emerging artists.”

The book’s launch coincides with the International Day of Creole Language and Culture. Kylian himself emphasised the importance of the trilingual format (Creole, French, and English):

“In Mauritius, we speak several languages, and I wanted to celebrate our mother tongue while making the story accessible to everyone—to students as well as visitors.”

Multitalented Young Artist and Slam Champion

Kylian Théo Emmanuel Razaze is a student at MGSS Solférino and is known for his multi-disciplinary talent.

He has an interest in drawing (especially manga), writing, dancing Kathak, singing, playing piano, and reading.

He dreams of becoming a writer, mangaka, illustrator, and video game designer—an all-round artist who unites art, ecology, emotion, and technology. “No one is too small to have a big dream and make a difference,” he asserts.

His journey into performance began in 2020 when he discovered slam poetry during the confinement, encouraged by his mother, a poet and pedagogue. This led to significant recognition:

• In 2021, at age eight, he was crowned Junior National Slam Champion.
• He later won the title of Junior Francophone Slam Champion in the same year.
• In 2025, he clinched the titles of National Slam League Champion and Francophonie Champion of Mauritius.

Beyond words, Kylian expresses himself through dance and theatre, having acted in several plays. A passionate Kathak dancer, he views it as “a form of meditation and corporal expression.”

He is also an innovator, creating ecological board games presented at Meet the Young Makers to raise environmental awareness through play.

Source: Defi Media