Tanella Boni is one of the most prominent figures in modern African literature. Born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, she did her advanced studies in France before returning to Côte d’Ivoire as a professor of philosophy. She has won the Prix Théophile Gautier from the French Academy, for her poetry collection Là où il fait si clair en moi (There where it’s so bright in me); the Antonio Viccaro International Poetry Prize; and the Ahmadou Kourouma Prize, for her novel Matins de couvre-feu (Mornings after curfew). She served as president of the Writers’ Association of Côte d’Ivoire from 1991 to 1997. (updated 10/2021)