The first edition of the Carlos Morgado Literary Prize resulted in the collection entitled “New Voices – New Stories”, anthology that highlights the talent of ten young Mozambican authors.
The award, which now results in a book, involved a rigorous selection process, covering 117 young people from all 11 provinces of Mozambique, of which only 10 were chosen for the final stage of the competition.
The jury, made up of reader Marina Morgado, writer Suleiman Cassamo and editor Sandra Tamele, evaluated a total of 91 texts, selecting the best to form the collection. On an introductory note, CATALOGUS and the Carlos Morgado Foundation, the institutions responsible for the competition, highlight the time dedicated to work, dedication to writing and enthusiasm as fundamental elements for each of the 10 authors to contribute to the literary scene.
The collection, consisting of 136 pages, brings together texts by Abrahama Noé, Álcio Cuna, Cleyde Pamela, Isah Esmeralda, Francisco Panguana Júnior, Gilberto Macuácuá, Isaura Fausto, Luciano Manhique, Wasquete Fernando and Zacarias Simbo. The work offers a rich variety of tales that intertwine elements of tradition, myth, mystery, love and contemporary times. Created by young authors, many of whom have their works published for the first time.
The Carlos Morgado Literary Prize was established in 2023 by the Carlos Morgado Foundation, a Mozambican non-profit organization dedicated to the country's sustainable development. Organized by CATALOGUS, a platform for promoting Mozambican authors, the award's main objective is to contribute to the construction and projection of new literary voices in Mozambique, while paying tribute to Carlos Morgado's significant contribution as a Mozambican citizen and defender of noble causes.