Launch of Inaugural Burt Award for African Literature Books

June 18, 2010

On Thursday June 3rd, at Scotia Plaza in downtown Toronto, veteran Canadian publisher, writer, and member of CODE’s Advisory Council, Anna Porter helped launch the first crop of books published through the Burt Award for African Literature program.

The Burt Award for African Literature is a new literary prize that recognizes excellence in young adult fiction from Africa. Sponsored by CODE through the generous contributions of Canadian donor Bill Burt, the award addresses an ongoing absence of relevant, quality books for young people while at the same time promotes a love of reading.

The award calls for authors to submit original, thought-provoking, dramatic, humorous or suspenseful English manuscripts that portray strong, admirable principal characters, reflect modern realities and address the types of social challenges that are faced by young people in Africa today.

Like many African countries, Tanzania has made significant progress towards achieving universal primary education. Thus, the number of Tanzanian students moving from primary to secondary school, where the language of instruction changes from Kiswahili to English, has tripled since 2000. “More than ever before there is a need for Canada to step up and help create culturally relevant, quality English books for youth,” says CODE’s Executive Director, Scott Walter.

Patron of the award Bill Burt and  Canadian publisher/ CODE Advisory Council Member Anna Porter

Launched on International Literacy Day in Ottawa in September 2008, the award’s inaugural competition was held in Tanzania and was co-managed by CODE and its UNESCO award-winning Tanzanian partner, the Children’s Book Project. The Burt Award program has recently been expanded to include Ethiopia and Ghana. The award consists of three cash prizes worth $21,000 and a publishing contract for winning submissions.  This year’s first prize winner is Mkama Mwijarubi for Treeland, The Land of Laughter.

Pilli Dumea presenting to Bill Burt the sculpture representing solidarity

Special guests at the event included: Canadian philanthropist Bill Burt and his family, Pilli Dumea, Executive Secretary of the Children’s Book Project for Tanzania, Ruth Odondi, CEO of the National Book Development Council of Kenya, and Hadley Dyer, Canadian children's book writer and past president of IBBY Canada.

Anna Porter joined CODE’s Executive Director, Scott Walter, to help host the celebration
held at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Scotia Plaza in, Toronto.

For more information about the Burt Award for African Literature, please click here.