Scholastique Mukasonga, Yussef El Guindi, Lorna Goodison, Yaa Gyasi, and Attica Locke announced the new Royal Society of Literature International Writers on November 30, 2023.
The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) was founded to “reward literary merit and excite literary talent” in the United Kingdom in 1820. One of its awards is its International Writers Award, which recognises the contribution of writers across the globe to literature for their lifetime contributions started in 2021. It celebrates the many ways in which literature can shape a future world. Some of the previous recipients have been Jamaica Kincaid, Alain Mabanckou, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Claudia Rankine, Maryse Condé, Tsitsi Dangarembga, and Saidiya Hartman.
The newest International Writers were selected by a panel of Maureen Freely (Chair), Sandra Agard, Kit Fan, Daniel Hahn, Margaret Jull Costa, Hannah Khalil, Musa Okwonga and Gaby Wood.
Maureen Freely, Chair of this year’s panel, said: “The RSL International Writers programme, now in its third year, is delighted to welcome 12 new writers to the fold. They come to us from five continents and as many languages, with most working across a variety of forms. All are writers of great distinction. Though no two are alike, they share a fascination for erased lives and histories that can, once restored, serve as eloquent reminders of our commonalities as readers, writers, and global citizens. We would like to thank all those who took the trouble to recommend them to us. We hope they will keep up this excellent habit as the programme enters its fourth year.”
The writers of African descent on the programme this year are;
- Yussef El Guindi
- Lorna Goodison
- Yaa Gyasi
- Attica Locke
- Scholastique Mukasonga
Attica Locke said, “I am so deeply honoured by being included in this global community.”
Scholastique Mukasonga said, “It’s with a vivid emotion that I receive The Royal Society of Literature International Writers Award. I would like to thank the RSL on behalf of those for whom I write my books. I realize how far I have come since November 1959, when I escaped and went into exile as a 3-year-old. The Royal Society of Literature International Writers honours me as a writer and Rwanda as a member of the Commonwealth. The RSL is a precious encouragement to continue to write in this beautiful adventure that is Literature. I would deeply thank the jury who have by their choice shown me interest according to the history told in my books. With all my highest gratitude and consideration.”
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