Kenyan author Ngugi wa ThiongÕo, Distinguished Professor of English and comparative literature at UC Irvine, is on the short list for the 2010 Nobel Prize in literature, for xxx(add phrase or blurb here from award announcement; Chancellor quote? Christine writing and getting approved quote). Ngugi, whose name is pronounced ÒGoogyÓ and means Òwork,Ó is a prolific writer of novels, plays, essays and childrenÕs literature. Many of these have skewered the harsh sociopolitical conditions of post-Colonial Kenya, where he was born, imprisoned by the government and forced into exile. His recent works have been among his most highly acclaimed and include what some consider his finest novel, ÒMurogi wa KagogoÓ (ÒWizard of the CrowÓ), a sweeping 2006 satire about globalization that he wrote in his native Gikuyu language. In his 2009 book ÒSomething Torn & New: An African Renaissance,Ó Ngugi argues that a resurgence of African languages is necessary to the restoration of African wholeness. ÒI use the novel form to explore issues of wealth, power and values in society and how their production and organization in society impinge on the quality of a peopleÕs spiritual life,Ó he has said.

After the Nobel Peace Prize Sex Scandal, The Swedish New Academy Has A New Alternative Award

The Nobel Prize for Literature was officially canceled this year due to a sex abuse and corruption scandal at the Swedish Academy who hosts the prestigious awards. But that won’t stop the birth of New Academy’s alternative response to the Nobel Prize.

Ms. Pascalidou with an association of over 100 prominent Swedish cultural figures, including actors, novelists, rappers started her own prize. The winner of the New Academy Prize in Literature will be announced on Oct. 14 and will receive one million kronor, or around $112,000. There will also be a banquet in the winner’s honor, just as there would be for a Nobel laureate. This new award wants to learn from the shortcomings of the Nobel Prize by being curating a more inclusive list featuring the familiar faces but an array of fresh individuals like Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo. The New Academy is enforcing a gender quota on the shortlist stage, stipulating that it comprises two men and two women, basing its selection process from around the world on authors that tell the stories of “humans in the world“.

The alternative Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded by a Swedish non-profit organization called The New Academy (Den nya akademien). The New Academy was founded on the initiative of Swedish journalist and author Alexandra Pascalidou in April of this year following the announcement of the Swedish Academy that the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature has been postponed until next year. The New Academy is not intended to be the solution to the crisis surrounding the Nobel Prize in Literature. But it can be an important step on the way towards a rejuvenation of the Nobel Prize. – BookRiot

The shortlist consists of 46 contenders selected by Swedish librarians, voting opened this week on the prize’s website and closes on Aug. 14. when they’ll decide the three finalists. Librarians will choose a fourth. A panel made up of a literature professor, two librarians and two literary editors will then choose the winner.

We’re most excited about the Africans who made it to the list, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Nnedi Okorafor were all nominated. Okorafor has been leading in the sci-fi world and it was just announced that she will soon be writing the spinoff to Black Panther that focuses on the character Shuri. Adichie has been a leading figure in discourses around feminism and literature, and she also recently won the Pen Pinter Prize. Ngugi wa Thiong’o is the least surprising name on the list since he has been a constant favorite to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He was snubbed in 2016 when Bob Dylan won triggering Wole Soyinka to respond,“Since I’ve written quite a number of songs for my plays, I would like to be nominated for a Grammy.” OkayAfrica Reports.

Vote for Ngugi wa Thiong’o HERE.

Vote for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie HERE.

Vote for Nnedi Okorafor HERE.  

Adedayo Laketu

Adedayo Laketu is a creative inventor who's interested in curating a New Age for Africa across all mediums.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.
Previous Story

Chinese-Nigerian model Adesuwa Aighewi has her Creative Directorial Debut showing the beauty of Muslim women
Next Story

Madagascar has fastest broadband speed in Africa

Latest from Magazine