The Prix Littéraires du Togo 2024 winners were awarded at a colourful ceremony in Lome, Togo on Saturday December 14, 2024.
Prix Littéraires du Togo (English: Literary Awards of Togo) is an initiative of l’association Journalistes pour la Critique littéraire et d’art au Togo (JCLA-Togo) (English: the Association of Journalists for Literary and Art Criticism in Togo). JCLA-TOGO has set up new awards to reward literary excellence and honor Togolese writers, promoting literary talents and strengthening their visibility. The hope is to promote books and ensure that writers are recognized for their invaluable contribution to Togolese society.
The Saturday event, supported by the Togolese Ministry of Communication, Media, and Culture, brought together writers, publishers, and literature lovers.
The president of JCLA-Togo, Germain Doubidji said at the ceremony “The prize is awarded in a context of renewed interest from the Togolese authorities for actors in the literary world through several initiatives of the Ministry of Communication, Media, and Culture. Secondly, it is the interest of the public and actors in the book chain for this initiative. We believe that we must institutionalize this prize.”
The winners on the evening were;
- Prix Littéraire Plume d’Or 2024: Des cheveux et des ongles, Patron Henekou (Éditions Continents, 2021)
- Grand Prix Littéraire Amitié Maroc-Togo: Nawir, Koffi Boko
- Prix Meilleure Maison d’Édition 2024 (English: Best Publishing House 2024): Éditions Continents,
- Prix Meilleure Plume au Féminin 2024 (English: Best Female Writer 2024): Piégée (Tomes 1 and 2), Alexa Keas (pen name: Klenam Sandra)
Patron Henekou said on Social Media, “My collection of poems Des cheveux et des ongles (2021 editions Editions Continents) was selected as the winner of Prix Littéraire Plume d’Or 2024 by a jury of academics and journalists. Gratitude. This collection is prefaced by the writer and honorary president of the AECI Macaire Etty to whom I once again express my warm thanks. It must be reminded too, the work of the cover of the book, The Walk to the Future, is signed Jean Koumy to whom I will go to renew my admiration and great respect with copies of the new edition of the book. Special thanks to Sebastien Vondoly for the great work they do and for publishing this compilation. Long road to success, isn’t it! Congratulations to us! A brotherly thank you to Anas Atakora and Calhoun Avono who are among the first to read the manuscript and to predict a happy life. Thanks to the brothers of the association. My friendships at Akondo Nouhr-Dine and Fafa Credo I would like to congratulate the other winners of Koffi Boko , Sandra Klénam Amabley and Continent Editions for their success. Thanks thanks to the organizers, to Kokouvi Germain Doubidji and its team at the JCLA for the initiative. I rephrase the wish that the winners of this first edition bring the chance of perpetuity to this initiative.”
Alexa Keas said, “These two books literally consumed me during their writing, especially volume 2. Sleepless nights, long hours of research, sometimes even the neglect of my little family. Two intense narratives where I put my guts, my fears, my hopes and a bit of my soul, as in most of my books elsewhere. This award is more than just a trophy; it’s proof that my words touch, reach, upset and create lasting resonance. And this is priceless. This is where my motivation lies. Thank you so much for being here, reading, feeling and making all this possible. Once again, I thank the Association of Journalists for Literary and Art Criticism in Togo (JCLA-Togo), the feminist webmagazine EkinaMag that sponsored the trophy, the Ministry of Communication, Media and Culture, the jury and all those who made no effort to make it happen. This initiative was a success.”
Koffi Boko said,“All my gratitude!!!”
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