The debut novel by Malagasy writer Élie Ramanankavana is among the twelve works selected for the 2026 Senghor Prize for Francophone and Francophile First Novels.
A Malagasy voice among twelve debut novels. With “Fortune,” Élie Ramanankavana reaches a new milestone in his literary career by joining the final selection for the Senghor Prize. Created in 2006 in honor of Léopold Sédar Senghor, this award annually recognizes a first novel written in French, aiming to highlight new talents in Francophone literature. This year, twelve novels are in the running, up from the usual ten, selected from 36 submissions. The winner is expected to be announced by the end of September.
For Ramanankavana, this selection is an opportunity to make a Malagasy voice heard beyond borders. “I think it is important that we have a voice, that we are not just an object of study, a case of underdevelopment, or a tourist destination,” he explains. The author views Madagascar as a true crossroads of humanity. “We are an island, a crossroads of humanity. Therefore, we have a lot to say, and what we say concerns the whole world.”
Published by Edern Editions, “Fortune” is Ramanankavana’s first novel following two poetry collections. The work blends family memory, social realities, and Malagasy history. As a poet turned novelist, Ramanankavana claims a free writing style, straddling the line between poetry and narrative, offering an uncompromising look at a society facing poverty, corruption, and dehumanization, while exploring themes of lucidity, understanding, and forgiveness.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-08 06:09:11 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/prix-senghor-du-premier-roman-fortune.html