Organized in tribute to Camara Laye (an eminent Guinean writer), the 4th edition of the Williams Sassine Literary Prize was launched in Conakry this Tuesday, March 14, 2023, by the International Center for Research and Documentation (CIRD). The ceremony was chaired by Mrs. Fatoumata Bah, advisor in charge of scientific research at the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, in the presence of the President of the Association of Writers of Guinea. The said ceremony also served as a framework for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the CIRD and the Guinean Observatory of Mines and Metals (OGMM). A research-driven MoU, Guineematin.com learned through one of its reporters.
The Williams Sassine Literary Prize is an international biennial competition initiated by the CIRD to immortalize this baobab of Guinean literature. This competition is open to young talents from the French-speaking world aged under 40 and aims to encourage reading and writing. It’s a powerful tool for bringing young writing talent out of the shadows.
The first edition of the Williams Sassine Literary Prize was held in 2018 and four winners (including three Guineans) were awarded. The second edition (organized in 2020) awarded a Congolese, two Beninese and a Guinean; and, the third edition (held in 2022) rewarded a Frenchman, a Cameroonian and two Guineans.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, the CIRD launched the 4th edition of this Williams Sassine Literary Prize. An edition organized in homage to Camara Laye, famous Guinean writer and author of ”The Black Child” published by Plon in 1953. The said edition is placed under the sponsorship of Dr Mamadou Barry, the national director of the budget.
“This competition consists of writing a short story whose assessment is entrusted to renowned short story writers, novelists, journalists and academics. The imagination and creativity of the candidates are not subject to a theme constraint. They can write on subjects of their choice. However, the texts to be submitted must meet the following criteria: format between 30,000 and 50,000 characters, Times New Roman font, size 12, line spacing 1.5, normal margin of 2.5. The result of the jury’s deliberations will be announced on December 20, 2023 on the website www.cirdguinee.org and cirdguinea’s Facebook page. Three short stories will be sanctioned by the jury and rewarded. The first will have a trophy and the sum of 1000 euros… The three winning short stories will be published in a collection”, announced Mr. Amadou Oury Diallo, the executive director of the CIRD.
Applications for this literary competition opened on March 14 and must be submitted to the CIRD. News should be sent by e-mail to the address [email protected] no later than July 31 at midnight. The family of Williams Sassine salutes the clarity and transparency that characterize the organization of this competition.
“We are convinced that this event will greatly contribute to the emulation and discovery of new literary talents throughout the world. We must thank the CIRD for having internationalized the elaboration of this Literary Prize. And better, we salute the clarity and transparency that characterize the criteria for the organization of this Literary Prize”, said Mrs. Aïssatou Diallo Bah on behalf of the family of Williams Sassine.
Always present alongside the CIRD in the organization of this literary competition, Facely 2 Mara, president of the Association of Guinean Writers (AEG), declared that the Williams Sassine Prize is part of a logic of physical immortalization of writers.
“The Association of Guinean Writers is and has always been very happy to take part in all activities related to the Williams Sassine Prize. It cannot be otherwise when we know that the Williams Sassine Prize is part of the promotion of the systemic triad of writer, book, reading. By establishing this Williams Sassine Prize, the CIRD (…) establishes a long-term logic of physical immortalization of writers in general”, he said.
By launching this 4th edition of the Williams Sassine Literary Prize in front of the CIRD’s technical and financial partners and many personalities from the world of arts and letters, Mrs Fatoumata Bah, advisor in charge of scientific research at the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and innovation, asked for the integration of two major challenges in this competition.
“This 4th publishing will require more rigor and commitment from us. This is why we must integrate two major challenges. The first challenge relates to the quality of the Prize itself and of the laureates; and, the second challenge will be the quality of the organization for this 2023 edition… We have, as the actor responsible for selecting the winners of the Literary Prize, the duty to ensure that the Prize actually rewards the most deserving in their areas. The Guinean population and all those who follow you must, through this edition, be proud of those of us who will have the chance to be selected… I would therefore like to call on each of you, members of the technical secretariat, members of the sectoral jury , president of the jury and all those who can directly and indirectly influence the process, to ensure that it is irreproachable from all points of view,” she said on behalf of Minister Diaka Sidibé.
On the sidelines of this launch ceremony for the 4th edition of the Williams Sassine Literary Prize, the CIRD signed a memorandum of understanding with the Guinean Observatory for Mines and Metals (OGMM) in the context of research.
“I would like to begin by thanking the CIRD for having initiated such an activity which will make it possible to perpetuate the names of the people who have marked our country. The CIRD is a support for research and documentation in our country… And this is one of the reasons that have not pushed us researchers specializing in extractive issues (…) to propose to the CIRD a memorandum of understanding on research questions that we can together initiate and implement,” said Ibrahima Chérif, Executive Director of OGMM.
Mamadou Baïlo Keïta for Guineematin.com
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