The prestigious Eccles Centre & Hay Festival Writer’s Award has unveiled its winners for 2024. Alia Trabucco Zerán and Hannah Lowe stand triumphant, each securing £20,000 for their outstanding yet-to-be-published works that delve into the diverse narratives of the Americas.
Zerán’s winning masterpiece, “La ciudad invencible” (The Invincible City), promises a captivating exploration of memory, identity and the enduring impact of political turmoil in Chile. Lowe, on the other hand, clinches the award with her lyrical and hybrid memoir, “Moy: In Search of Nelsa Lowe,” which ingeniously weaves the intimate story of her Chinese Jamaican aunt into the broader tapestry of Chinese history in Jamaica, women’s sexual labour, and the rich culture of folk healing.
The judges were particularly captivated by Lowe’s inventive approach in bringing Nelsa, her Afro-Chinese Jamaican aunt, to life. The winners, in addition to the £20,000 prize, will hold the Eccles Centre & Hay Festival Writer’s Award for a year from January 1. They will receive the funds in quarterly grants, embark on a residency at the British Library with exclusive access to the Library’s curatorial expertise, feature at future Hay Festival editions, and collaborate with the Eccles Centre on activities and events related to their research.
This esteemed accolade not only recognises exceptional literary talent but also provides a platform for the authors to share their unique perspectives on the Americas.
