Bulawayo wins 25th anniversary Best of Caine prize | Cornell Chronicle

""The Caine Prize for African Writing marks 25 years of honoring outstanding African writers who go on to make a profound impact on the literary world," the prize committee said. Since its inception in 2000, the prize has recognized more than 120 authors through its annual award and each year's short list. In honor of this milestone year, the Best of Caine Award replaced the traditional annual prize cycle."

""I'm deeply delighted that the best story in the prize's 25-year history was written on an ordinary day by a student who stayed behind after workshop to write the first draft in the Epoch Magazine office in Goldwin Smith Hall," Bulawayo said. "I remember the revising and editing afterwards, and later, placing the story in the Boston Review. I'm humbled by the story's journey and supremely honored by this second recognition.""

NoViolet Bulawayo, a Zimbabwean writer and Cornell MFA alumna, wrote 'Hitting Budapest' while at Cornell. The story portrays six Zimbabwean children who sneak from a shantytown into an affluent neighborhood called Budapest to steal guavas. 'Hitting Budapest' won the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing, launching Bulawayo's literary career. The Caine Prize marked its 25th year by awarding a Best of Caine Award to the strongest past winner, selecting Bulawayo's story. Since 2000 the prize has recognized over 120 authors. Bulawayo later served as an assistant professor of literatures in English at Cornell.

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