Tanella Boni: Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize is a coronation

ASSILAH - Hatim Betioui, Secretary General of the Assilah Forum Foundation, said that, as part of the 46th edition of the International Cultural Moussem of Assilah, he was immensely pleased to pay tribute to the brilliant African poet Tanella Boni, laureate of the 13th edition of the Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize for African Poetry.

“This distinction recognizes the uniqueness of her artistic journey and the refinement of her poetic sensibility within the realm of Francophone African poetry, as well as the beauty and aesthetic richness that distinguish the entirety of her poetic work,” said Betioui.

“Since its creation by the Foundation of the Assilah Forum in 1989, the Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize – established in homage to the late Congolese poet and playwright – has marked the Moussem with significant moments, dedicated to recognizing great African poets whose works have deservedly earned this prestigious literary award,” he said.

“The Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize pays homage to an exceptional poetic figure who played a decisive role in African culture, helping to establish the aesthetics of a poetic discourse born from the spirit of the South, expressing her values, dreams, and struggles, and thus constituting a major contribution to contemporary African literature, among the most recognized and translated in the world,” he added.

Betioui said that the choice of Tanella Boni is a natural one as she embodies one of the major figures of contemporary African literature and a feminine voice of great singularity.

“Through her poetry, she explores themes such as identity, the condition of women, and the transformations of African societies. Her writing, both refined and dense, combines aesthetic rigor and social commitment, giving voice to those who are rarely heard,” he added.

Ghislaine Derrous, representative of Morocco’s Culture Minister, said that they are in the Assilah Forum to celebrate the poetic excellence and humanist to deliver the Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize for African poetry.

“This prize carries the name of a giant of African poetry, Tchicaya U Tam'si, whose powerful work has managed to capture the struggles and hopes of our African continent. Like him, the laureates of this prize must embody its dual demands: that of art and poetry,” said Derrous.

“This year, it is with particular pride that we bestow this distinction upon a major voice of contemporary African poetry.A woman whose works illuminate our literary landscape for several decades. Professor Boni is not merely a poet of great talent; she is a awakened conscience, a keeper of memory, an architect of the future who builds, stone by stone and word by word, an edifice where the long-silenced voices of Africa, and particularly of female African voices,” she added.

Boni thanked the Assilah Forum for this special prize that marked her emotionally.

“It is true that I won several prizes. But this prize is a coronation.,” said the Ivorian poet.

“Thank you for having welcomed me in Assilah. A city of light, a city of peace and fraternity,” she said.

“Now I know where I come from; from this land of Africa, which despite the words and constraints, is made of sharing, exchange, beauty, kindness, solidarity, and dignity,” she added.

Amadou Lamine Sall, president of the jury, praised Boni as an exceptional woman and a very great figure of African poetry.

“Her name is synonymous with excellence… she won all prizes in all continents. The only prize missing was Assilah’s,” said Sall.

“The Tchicaya U Tam'si Prize comes to crown her career,” he added.