Programs and Events
First Mark Twain Award Winner Announced
The first winner of the monthly Mark Twain literary contest was announced on Wednesday, July 1. Honore Kitenge was awarded $500 for his story “Chronique d’une Chance.” Four semi-finalists were also honored. DCM Sam Brock made the announcement at a lively reception held at PAO Katya Thomas’ residence. In the audience were the Congolese Minister of Culture and the Arts, the panel of judges, prominent members of the Congolese and international cultural communities, and local media. The criteria for selecting the winner were readability, creativity, technique and style. In the spirit of Mark Twain, the panel of judges, which included both Congolese and Americans, wanted to reward a writer who told a good story, and had a sense of levity even when discussing serious issues. The semi-finalists were : Jose Manzanza for “La Paix Venue des Galaxies,” Denis Kalombo Ilunga Mbiya for “La Traversee,” Kambayolo Mokwanga Mopiti for “Histoire de Grand Pere Nabana,” and Etienne Cimanga Mibala for “Un Voyage Dans le Temps.” The Mark Twain prize will be awarded every month until the end of the year, when a grand prize winner selected from among the monthly winners. The grand prize will be $1,000.