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The European Union Literary Award

The European Union Literary Award is the first of its kind in the world. Supported by the various European Union embassies and commissions operating in South Africa, the award has at its core the ideal of promoting new, fresh literature that speaks in a South African idiom to an international audience.

Only five years after the award’s inauguration, it is already one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country. The panel of judges’ changes yearly, and judges are drawn from a broad cross-section of the literary world. Entries for the award each year number in the hundreds and the calibre of writing is exciting as it points the way forward for South African literature.

The winner of the award receives a cash prize of R25 000 and their novel is published by Jacana Media, ‘maverick’ of the publishing world. Exclusive Books, South Africa’s largest book retailer, has become a sponsor, and each year the winning title is guaranteed a place in the Exclusive Books Homebru selection.

To enter the 2009/10 Award, click here.

2008/09 EU Award Winner

saracen_at_the_gates_small The European Union, participating EU member states and Jacana Media are pleased to announce the winner for the 2008/09 European Union Literary Award, Saracen at the Gates by Zinaid Meeran.

Saracen at the Gates by Zinaid Meeran has Zakira, the curry mafia princess, as the heir to the Cachalia confectionery dynasty. Her parents keep her on a short leash while turning a blind eye to her twin brother Zakir’s wild ways. Zakira lies to her parents about being at Milky Lane sipping sundaes when she is actually getting trashed at yuppie clubs. To her horror, Zakira’s mommy, Raiza, sets her up with Jumsheed, heir to the Dadabhai sheep fortune, a Quran-quoting Holy Joe with the ankles of a yardbird and a beige Merc smelling of sheep sweat.