"Thiès, the capital of rail: genesis and evolution". This is the theme, both dear and fundamental to the Mayor of Thiès, Dr. Babacar Diop, of the scientific symposium organized as part of the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Senegal, on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March 2026, at the City Hall.

For the mayor of Thiès, who initiated the meeting, "the celebration of our country's independence anniversary remains a solemn moment that invites us to revisit our history, to examine our present, and to imagine together the future of our nation." But today, he specifies, "it is also the unique history of our city that brings us together."

The Mayor reminds us that "Thiès is not a city like any other. It is a living memory. A city born from the encounter between a territory, peoples and an infrastructure that profoundly transformed its destiny: the railway. From a military post to a strategic crossroads of West Africa, Thiès was built to the rhythm of the railway, migrations, exchanges and social struggles."

He continued: “The train did not just pass through Thiès: it shaped it. It structured its neighborhoods, molded its economy, forged its social identity and nourished its collective imagination. Behind the tracks, generations of women and men — workers, mechanics, union members, railway families — wrote the history of a city that is strong, united and committed.”

It is precisely this story, Dr. Diop emphasizes, that "we have chosen to explore collectively through this symposium." For two days, historians, geographers, sociologists, cultural actors, and citizens will share their perspectives to shed light on the different dimensions of the construction of Thiès: its urban genesis, the structuring role of the railway, social and political dynamics, tangible and intangible heritage, as well as future prospects.

“Because understanding where we come from is essential to knowing where we are going,” says Babacar Diop. Alongside this scholarly work, the Thiès municipal institution has also created another space for transmission and sharing: the exhibition “Kees Kaay: benn dëk ñaari gaar!” This exhibition, conceived with the participation of teachers and students from our city, aims to be much more than a simple “historical presentation.”

In the Mayor's eyes, it is an invitation to see, understand and experience Thiès differently. Through archives, images and stories, it retraces: "Thiès before the railway, the birth of the railway town, the structuring of urban space by stations, the life of railway workers, social struggles, and finally the contemporary issues of memory and heritage."

It reminds the people of Thiès of an essential truth: "The history of the railway is not just a history of infrastructure—it is above all a human story." That is why, explains Babacar Diop, "we wanted this exhibition to be accessible, educational, and lasting, so that it can continue to nurture the historical awareness of younger generations."

Today, the Mayor observes, “Thiès finds itself at a pivotal moment in its history. A university town, a highway hub, and a burgeoning cultural and scientific center, it possesses considerable assets to establish itself as an engine of national development.” But, he emphasized, “this development can only be sustainable if it is grounded in our history, our identity, and our collective capacity for dialogue.”

According to the Mayor, “this symposium and exhibition reflect our deep conviction: knowledge, culture, and memory are essential levers for public action. They help strengthen the sense of belonging, inform urban policies, and build a shared vision of the future.” He expressed his profound gratitude to the scientific committee, the organizing committee, the researchers and speakers, the partner institutions, the teachers and students, as well as to all those who contributed to the success of these important events.

And to conclude: “By opening this colloquium, we are not just talking about the past of Thiès. We are laying the foundations for its future. A future that we want to be faithful to its heritage: an open city, a city of knowledge, a city of solidarity, a city resolutely turned towards progress.”