Cameroonian writer Hamley Boum has won the 23rd edition of the Prix des Cing Continents de la Francophonie.
She beat nine other finalists whose works were before a jury and six reading committees, all representing diversity and excellence of Francophone literature.
Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie emphasised the importance of the prize, paying tribute to Francophone writers.
“In a world often marked by uncertainty and divisions, we need literature more than ever. Not as a refuge or an escape, but as a way of thinking, connecting, and understanding reality. A space where language does not impose, but proposes; where stories do not freeze, but open paths,”
she said in a statement received by APA.
Hemley Boum, a key voice of La Francophonie
Chaired by Fawzia Zouari, writer and President of the Parliament of Francophone Women Writers, the jury named Hemley Boum (Cameroon-France) the winner of the 2025 Prix des 5 Continents de la
Francophonie for her novel The Fisherman’s Dream (Éditions Gallimard, France).
Through the fate of a Cameroonian family who migrated to France, Boum delivers a powerful and engaging story. Her writing is distinguished by the richness of her world and her profound reflection
on themes such as memory, transmission, and the quest for self. This novel explores with subtlety and sensitivity the complexity of contemporary Francophone identities, between roots and exile.
“The Fisherman’s Dream tells an intergenerational story, both wonderful and tragic. From Cameroon to France, this family saga stands out for the breadth of its universe and its poetic writing, addressing the themes of exile, uprooting, and the upheaval of values.
The author skillfully navigates between past and present, cultures and beliefs, roots and loss of bearings,” the jury stated in its deliberation.
A novelist, poet, and essayist, Hemley Boum was born in Cameroon, where she studied anthropology before specialising in international business in Lille. After living in several African countries, she settled in France, where she devotes herself entirely to writing. Her novels explore the relationships between urbanity, tradition, and history, often through intimate life stories. Her critically acclaimed work includes titles such as Les jours vient et passe (Ahmadou Kourouma Prize 2020, finalist for the Prix des 5 Continents 2020), Le rêve du pêcheur (Montauban Prize 2024, Louis-Guilloux Prize 2024), and Le Clan des femmes (2010).
Her works, translated into several languages, explore the tensions between modernity and tradition, roots and exile. Deeply involved in the transmission of literature, Hemley Boum leads writing workshops in Africa and the United States, notably with the African Women Development Fund and the Villa Albertine in San Francisco. She regularly participates in literary conferences and festivals,
affirming her vision of literature as a space for dialogue and reflection on contemporary societies.
Created in 2001 by the OIF, the 5 Continents Prize rewards each year a narrative fiction (novel, story or collection of short stories) that illustrates the diversity and vitality of Francophone literature around the world.
The winner receives a prize of 15,000 euros and benefits from promotional support for a whole year, including participation in literary meetings and international events to highlight their work.
TE/fss/as/APA