Madagascar: AFRICAN LITERATURE – “Za koa” by Hary Rabary in competition for the final of POLA.

Hary Rabary’s book, titled “Za Koa,” has been selected among the finalists for the Orange Book Prize in Africa this year. The work competes with four other African books.

National pride. Following the success of Michèle Rakotoson, the winner of the Orange Book Prize in Africa (POLA) in 2023, it is now Hary Rabary’s chance to follow in her footsteps. Her captivating book “Za Koa,” published by Dodo Vole editions, has led her to be among the five finalists this year. The deliberations of the six reading committees, made up of a hundred readers with diverse profiles from 15 French-speaking African countries, have led to lively and well-argued discussions.

“Amazing, I can’t believe that my book has been selected among the finalists. It is a great honor for our country to reach this stage, hoping to win the ultimate title. ‘Za Koa’ was written in the span of three months and was released in October. It tells the poignant story of a little girl named Rota, a victim of sexual violence, who decides to write a letter to her assailant,” says Hary Rabary in a phone call. The final selection phases for the winner are currently taking place and will continue until May, confirms the author.

Competition

Hary Rabary is competing with four talents of Francophone African literature, such as Angelo Bayock from Cameroon with “Percussions,” La Croisée des Chemins editions; Jean Aimé Dibakana Mankessi from Congo with “The Psychoanalyst of Brazzaville”; Mohamed Harmel from Tunisia with “Siqal, The Ogress’s Lair” and Meryem Sellami from Tunisia with “I’m Jealous of the Southern Breeze on Your Face”, Cérès editions.

The POLA rewards a novel written in French by an African writer and published by an African publishing house. Its objective is to highlight the literary talents of Francophone Africa and their publishers established on the continent. The finalists will have the honor of participating in the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) in Rabat, Morocco next May. The winner of this edition will succeed Michèle Rakotoson for her moving work “Ambatomanga: The Pain and the Silence.” Who will win the prestigious POLA 2024 title?

Nicole Rafalimananjara