Equatorial Guinea: twenty “madmen” share their stories in a book; this is how they lived through the COVID-19 pandemic

“In the midst of silence and uncertainty, I went back to listening to the stories of my childhood and understanding their importance in my life today”, confessed Aquiles Mensa, one of the authors of Diary of Madmen in Quarantine, during the book presentation yesterday, December 4, at the Spanish Cultural Center in Malabo. Mensa recalled how the confinement allowed him to reconnect with the traditions of his community, transforming that rediscovery into stories that are now part of this collective work.

Equatorial Guinea: towards a professional artistic ecosystem

Estanislao Medina, another of the authors, shared how the pandemic led him to reflect on the fragility of human relationships. “My days were a constant contrast between the loneliness of isolation and the desperate search for connection through a screen”, he explained. His contribution to the book explores resilience in the face of isolation and the adaptation to a new reality defined by distance.

For her part, Dulcinea Jora shared how confinement in her small village became a moment of unity and solidarity. “Pandemics usually isolate us, but in my case, it was a time to find hope in simple gestures: a neighbor leaving food at your door or the evening songs breaking the silence”, she recounted emotionally. Her testimony, captured in the book’s pages, reflects a bright and optimistic perspective in the midst of adversity.

The book, which gathers texts from 22 authors — 14 men and 8 women — not only highlights the diversity of Equatoguinean experiences during the pandemic but also incorporates the voices of four Spanish writers. This blend of perspectives makes Diary of Madmen in Quarantine a cultural mosaic that documents a global historical moment through deeply personal stories.

The presentation, held in an intimate atmosphere, allowed the authors to connect with the audience through their experiences. The shared stories not only depicted the impact of the pandemic but also showcased the power of creativity to transform pain into memory and isolation into a bridge toward others. Diary of Madmen in Quarantine is, above all, a celebration of humanity in times of adversity.