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Renowned Haitian author Gary Victor has been named a finalist for the 2025 Prix des cinq continents de la Francophonie with his novel Le Violon d’Adrien. This recognition not only highlights Victor’s literary prowess but also shines a light on Haitian storytelling on the global stage.
The Prix des cinq continents, established in 2001 by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), celebrates literary diversity and excellence in the French-speaking world. This year, the jury selected 10 works from 129 submissions, reflecting the richness of Francophone literature across five continents.
Victor’s Le Violon d’Adrien, published by Mémoire d’encrier, tells the poignant story of Adrien, a boy dreaming of becoming a violinist in 1970s Haiti. Through Adrien’s struggles, the novel explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the crushing of dreams in a country grappling with societal chaos.
While Haitian writers have been finalists before—such as Mackenzy Orcel in 2023 and Emmelie Prophète in 2021—no Haitian author has won the prize to date. Victor’s nomination is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Haitian authors who navigate complex histories and cultural dynamics to tell their stories.
The winner of the prize will be announced in the first quarter of 2025, during International Francophonie Day. In addition to the €15,000 award, the laureate will receive a year-long promotional program supported by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). This includes participation in literary events, book fairs, and international salons, organized in collaboration with the winner.
The recipient of the jury’s special mention will be awarded €5,000. Additionally, the respective publishers of the winners are required to include a distinctive red banner highlighting the prize and, when possible, to facilitate rights transfers and co-publication in the authors’ home countries or other nations in the Global South.
Victor is among an impressive list of finalists from countries including Cameroon, France, Canada, and Algeria. The jury, chaired by Fawzia Zouari, praised this year’s submissions for their cultural and thematic diversity.
Finalists include Le Rêve du pêcheur by Hemley Boum (Cameroon-France), Peau-de-Sang by Audrée Wilhelmy (Canada-Québec), and Rapatriement by Eve Guerra (Democratic Republic of Congo-France), among others.
Victor’s nomination not only celebrates his individual talent but also signals a broader recognition of Haitian literature’s depth and impact. With the final decision looming in March, hopes are high that this could be the year a Haitian author claims the prize.
