In an interview with Haiti Inter, Lilas Deskillon, the permanent representative to Haiti’s UNESCO, has announced the creation of the Franketienne Literary Prize [Prix Littéraire Frankétienne]paying tribute to the great Haitian writer who recently passed away. UNESCO’s first literary awards help to continue the legacy of Franquetienne, an iconic figure in Haitian literature and visual arts, and celebrate the richness of literary creation.
For many of us who followed his work, this development is no surprise. As stated in Haiti era (December), Franquetienne was a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009, and in 2010 he was appointed commander of Ordre Arts des Rothless, the highest honor for French artists. In the same year he was designated UNESCO Artist of Peace and was recognized for his efforts to preserve Haitian culture and language. He received the Grand Prix de la Francophony in 2021. “This post-death compliment is only suitable for such an emotional man.
Translation of the article by Wislin Prévil (Le Temoine), “Le Prix Frankétienne, Le Premier Prixlittérairedel’unesco.”
This presentation was a huge surprise in the literary world. Lilas Deschiron, the permanent representative to Haiti’s UNESCO, has announced the creation of the Franketienne Literary Prize in honor of the great Haitian writer who has passed away recently. This is the first literary award given by UNESCO and is a powerful symbol of the international recognition of Franketienne’s immense contribution to Haitian literature and culture.
The creation of this award is an unprecedented event for Haiti and UNESCO. A leading figure in French-speaking literature and co-founder of the “spiralism” movement, Franketienne has a prolific work that has influenced several generations of writers and readers. By dedicating the award to his name, UNESCO creates a testament to Haiti’s cultural richness and seeks to encourage literary creativity in the wake of Franketienne’s legacy.
Like other literary awards, the Franketienne Literary Award aims to recognize authors whose works are distinguished by their originality, stylistic quality, and inspirational ability. By naming a well-known author, the award aims to promote his legacy and stimulate the research, research and dissemination of his work. Establishing awards of this magnitude under the auspices of UNESCO will strengthen Haitian literature’s status on the world stage and encourage cultural cooperation.
The creation of the Franketienne Literary Award reflects UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts to recognize cultural diversity and show off its artistic talent. It also represents a lively will for Franketienne’s influence. By formalizing the award, Lilas Deskillon and UNESCO are opening up a new chapter in Haitian literature, but they pay universal respect to the author whose style and commitment have left a mark on literary history and collective consciousness. This is a powerful signal for all who believe in the power of words to change the world and reinvent the imagination.
Translated by Ivette Romero. For the original article (in French), please refer to https://letemoinhaiti.com/home/article/le-prix-franketienne-le-prix-litteraire-de-lunesco/
