Renowned Nigerian poet and academic, Professor Niyi Osundare, has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious “Golden Key of Smederevo” award. This decision was made by the Awards Committee of the 56th International Poetry Festival “Smederevo Poets Autumn” at a meeting held on July 15, 2024. The award will be presented at the festival, which takes place from October 15 to 17, 2024, in Smederevo, Serbia.
The festival, established in 1970 to preserve and promote poetry, has hosted over 2,000 poets from around the world and published more than 400 books. The “Golden Key of Smederevo” is awarded annually to a distinguished poet and includes a gilded replica of the city’s key, the publication of a bilingual poetry book (in the laureate’s language and Serbian), and a monetary prize of €1,000.
In its decision, the Awards Committee praised Osundare as “one of the most prominent African poets, scholars, and intellectuals”
