VICTORIA, Seychelles — Reuben Lespoir, Aneesa Vel, and Michaela Labonte are the grand winners of the 7th edition of the Antoine Abel literary prize 2024–2025, organised by Lakademi Kreol Sesel. The competition was divided into four categories — poetry, translation, short story, and theatre. The winners received their prizes in a ceremony held at the Sea Front restaurant at the International Conference Centre on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Amanda Bernstein, government business leader in the National Assembly, Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel, and the leader of the opposition.
The Antoine Abel competition is named in honour of the late Seychellois writer and poet, and is held annually to encourage new writing in the Kreol language. Lakademi Kreol Sesel said the response from students and adults this year was strong, with entries reflecting both creative ambition and a deep engagement with Kreol expression. The ceremony was an opportunity to recognise the work of all the participants, and to celebrate the role of the Kreol language in shaping Seychellois literature and identity.
Speaking at the event, Minister Bernstein commended the academy and the participants for their continued dedication to the literary arts and to the promotion of Kreol. The academy thanked the judging panel, the participating schools, and the families who supported the young writers. The Antoine Abel prize remains one of the most important cultural events in the country’s literary calendar, and is expected to continue to grow as more Seychellois writers choose to express themselves in the Kreol language.
