Nairobi Hosts Etisalat Prize for Literature Book Tour

Etisalat Prize for Literature held a series of public literary events in Nairobi, Kenya between to promote African literature and celebrate the winner and shortlisted writers of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature.

The literary programme featured a public panel discussion with the winner of the 2015 edition of the Etisalat Prize, Congolese Poet and Writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila the author of Tram 83; as well as Etisalat Prize for Literature Shortlisted Writers, Penny Busetto author of The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rehana Rossouw author of What Will People Say?.

The authors also visited the University of Nairobi and Daystar University and had book reading sessions at Goethe-Institute Nairobi and PAWA254. As part of the programme, Etisalat Prize for Literature shortlist books were donated to the institutions during the book tour.

Speaking on the essence of the tour, Elvis Ogiemwanye, director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, said the programme is aimed at putting African literature in more hands across the world. He expressed the hope that the tour will help encourage more Africans to embrace African literature, adding that Africa is rich in literary talent.

It would be recalled that on June 1st, 2016, Etisalat announced its call for entries to the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made this disclosure, also announced the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize. The panel comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige-Renée Dro as members.