…Angelique Kidjo Set to Perform
at Award Ceremony
The ceremony
will feature performances by Grammy award
winning singer and song-writer, Angelique Kidjo who is billed to thrill a
selection of high profile guests including writers, book critics and academics
from across Africa.
The
shortlisted writers who would be battling for the prize and their books are Nadia
Davids, An Imperfect Blessing
published by Random House Struik-Umuzi; Chinelo Okparanta, Happiness Like Water published by Granta Publication and Songeziwe Mahlangu,
Penumbra published by Kwela Books,
Imprint of NB Publishers. The three contenders were selected from a long list
of nine writers after a long judging process chaired by Sarah Ladipo Manyinka.
In
addition to the Prize for Literature, the winner of the Flash Fiction Category
will be announced from the trio of Chinua
Ezenwa-Ohaeto, I saved my Marriage;
Irabor Justin Ikhide, These Words I Do
Not Speak and Neemah Komba, Setting
Babu on Fire.
The
Prize aimed at recognizing and celebrating writers and other members of the literary
community across Africa saw Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo emerge winner of its
maiden edition for her book We Need New
Names.
Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher has expressed
optimism that the second edition will reveal yet another literary talent because
the competition attracted high quality writers. He noted that the company
through the Prize is poised to encourage talents and improve literacy in the
African continent.
“We are
delighted to have created this Prize that celebrates African fiction writers
and the publishing industry. We believe that with this Prize, we will reward
new talents and encourage further involvement in literature”, he said.
Meanwhile
the three shortlisted writers will conclude their book review tour on Friday,
March 13th at Terra Kulture in Lagos where they will read, share and
autograph their works.
The
winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2014 will be presented with a
cheque of £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück and will attend the
Etisalat Fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, mentored by
Prof Giles Foden, author of the Last King of Scotland.
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