Guest Writer’s Grant at the Nordic Africa Institute

Previous Guest Writers
The Nordic Africa Institute has previously hosted four Guest Writers, Ama Ata Aidoo from Ghana, Gabeba Baderoon from South Africa, Tolu Ogunlesi from Nigeria and Shailja Patel from Kenya. These Guest Writers have added in a very positive way both to the dialogue and interchange at the institute itself, and have given a new dimension to its interface with various groups and audiences in the Nordic countries.

Purposes
The motivation for the Guest Writer’s Grant is the conviction that knowledge of Africa is gained not only from the factual approach of the social sciences, and that literature can contribute significantly with its different take on language and meaning. The purpose of the grant is threefold:

Firstly, to provide an opportunity for writers to concentrate on their work during their stay.

Secondly, to facilitate readings to audiences in Sweden, and one or two other Nordic countries by visits to those countries. The itinerary is negotiable, but should include at least one other Nordic country – Norway, Denmark, Iceland or Finland. The guest writer of 2010 will also be required to participate in the Gothenburg book fair in September, which has Africa as its focus.

Thirdly, to allow the Guest Writer to interact with researchers, guest researchers and other staff and visitors at the Nordic Africa Institute, hence contributing its intellectual and cultural atmosphere. 

Conditions
The Guest  Writer’s Grant includes a return air fare (Economy Class), accommodation, a daily subsistence allowance of 300 SEK (Swedish kronor – approximately 40 USD) plus an installation grant of 2,500 SEK (approximately 350 USD), a shared office and free photocopying facilities up to a maximum of 1,000 copies. Guest Writers have access to a computer (with Microsoft Office 2007) at the office and are required to do their own typing. The maximum duration of the stay is 90 days.

Qualifications
Applicants must have some documented record of writing, with at least some published work. The applicant must be able to express herself/himself in English, although this does not have to be the language she/he writes in. We encourage young writers to apply.

For further information, please contact:
Stefan Helgesson, Co-ordinator of the Nordic Africa Institute’s Guest Writer’s Grant
E-mail: stefan.helgesson@english.su.se