The anticipation is building for the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize award ceremony, set to take place on June 26. This year marks a record-breaking number of entries, reflecting the growing strength of the global community of storytellers within the Commonwealth’s 56 countries.
The Commonwealth Foundation, which organises the prize, has sent out heartfelt invitations encouraging recipients to spread the word and invite fellow passionate storytellers. The ceremony will not only honour regional winners but also unveil the overall winner of this prestigious prize.
Attendees will hear the inspirations behind these exceptional stories, showcasing the power of the written word to build connections across diverse cultures and shared histories.
Jennifer Makumbi, the Chair of the Judges and a British Ugandan author, praised this year’s entries. “This is a dream list for lovers of the short story form. You’ll be amazed and thrilled, startled and shocked, and heartbroken and humbled in equal measure by the skill and talent, imagination and creativity,” she said.
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize aims to elevate voices across the Commonwealth, harnessing creative expression to provoke debate and inspire action on critical issues. The foundation firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling, making this event a significant highlight in the literary calendar.
