Summary
Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is a pan-African writing prize awarded biennially[1] to the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation[2] in 2005 in honour of Africa's first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka,[1] who presents the prize, which is chosen by an international jury of literary figures.[3] Administered by the Lumina Foundation,[4] the prize has been described as "the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize".[5]
| Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Pan-African writing prize for books of any type or genre |
| Sponsored by | The Lumina Foundation |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Hosted by | The Lumina Foundation |
| Reward(s) | $20,000 |
| First awarded | 2006 |
| Last awarded | Active |
| Website | theluminafoundation |
The winner receives $20,000 at the awards ceremony in Lagos or a selected city in Africa.[6] Entries must be written in English or French.[7] Although originally all genres were considered for every award, since 2014 only one genre is eligible for each edition of the award,[8] with drama being considered for 2014,[9] poetry in 2016, and prose in 2018.[10][11][12]
Winners edit
- 2006 Sefi Atta, Everything Good Will Come. The inaugural award took place on 5 August 2006 at the Muson Centre, Lagos, Nigeria,[13] where the guest speaker was former Ghana President John Agyekum Kufuor.[14]
- 2008 Nnedi Okorafor, Zahrah the Windseeker[13]
- 2010 (shared prize)[13]
- Kopano Matlwa, Coconut
- Wale Okediran, Tenants of The House
- 2012 Sifiso Mzobe, Young Blood[15][16][17][18]
- 2014 Akin Bello, The Egbon of Lagos (play)[19][20]
- 2018 (shared prize)
- Harriet Anena, A Nation in Labour[21]
- Tanure Ojaide, Songs of Myself[22]
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ a b Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, official website.
- ^ The Lumina Foundation
- ^ "Jury for Wole Soyinka prize announced", Joy Online, 22 June 2015.
- ^ Dapo Olugbagbe, "Jury for Wole Soyinka Prize and New Advisory Board", Bookcraft, 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Akin Bello wins $20,000 – 5th Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa", Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature at Glo.
- ^ "Jury for Wole Soyinka Prize and New Advisory Board", News and Events, The Lumina Foundation.
- ^ Wole Soyinka Prize Rules, The Lumina Foundation.
- ^ "Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature Calls For Entry", Book Republic, 31 January 2015.
- ^ Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku, "Drama takes centre-stage as Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature announces 5th edition", The Guardian (Nigeria), 9 August 2013.
- ^ 2014 Wole Soyinka Entry Prize Rules.
- ^ Nurudeen Oyewole, "Nigeria: Soyinka Prize for Literature Opens Entry for 2014", Daily Trust, 11 August 2013.
- ^ "2014 Wole Soyinka Prize entry Rules". Wale Owoade blog. 2014. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, previous winners.
- ^ "Africa's Literary Prize", Pan African Writers' Association (PAWA), 29 October 2012.
- ^ Uhakheme, Ozolua (9 September 2012). "South African wins Soyinka Literary Prize". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Akeem Lasisi (11 September 2012). "Mzobe wins $20,000 Soyinka Prize amidst eulogies". Punch. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH (19 September 2012). "Sifizo Mzobe Wins Wole Soyinka's Prize for Literature In Africa". Leadership. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ Henry Akubuiro (15 September 2012). "Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature: Another South African writer shines". Sun News. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ Press Release (6 July 2014). "Akin Bello wins Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa". WorldStage. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Staff writer (1 November 2014). "Akin Bello: Soyinka Prize for Literature hasn't changed my life". Sun News. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Anena's poetry wins Wole Soyinka Prize" The EastAfrican, December 28, 2018.
- ^ "Nigerian professor, Ugandan win Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature" by Jayne Augoye, Premium Times, December 10, 2018.
External links edit
- Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa official website