Chris Mlalazi, Guest Writer 2011

Chris Mlalazi

Interview by Lina Lorentz, filmed by Mattias Sköld

NAI’s guest writer 2011

Christopher Mlalazi, NAI’s guest writer for 2011, is at NAI in Uppsala during April 5 - June 29. The poet and short-story writer from Zimbabwe, who also writes for theatre, will spend three months at the institute. Christopher Mlalazi has published two books: “Dancing with life; tales from the township” (short-story collection), and “Many Rivers” (a novel). He has recently completed writing a novel titled “Autumn Leaves”. He is working on a new one which is still yet untitled.

Christopher Mlalazi has received several international awards and mentions and in 2010 he was the Feuchtwanger Fellow at Villa Aurora in California. His latest award is a 2011 National Arts Merit Award (Zimbabwe) for Best Theatrical Production for his 2010 play titled Election Day. It satirizes a dictator in an unnamed African country who is losing votes during a presidential election, but who is swearing that he is not going anywhere.

To date, five guest writers have graced NAI with their presence: Ama Ata Aidoo (2001), Gabeba Baderoon (2005), Tolu Ogunlesi (2008), Shailja Patel (2009) and Brian James (2010). The Guest Writer’s Grant has added substantially to the intellectual environment at NAI. It has also become a growing success, with more applications coming in after each announcement.

NAI’s guest writer 2011

Blog & Written interview