The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Essay Competition 2020

June 17, 2020 Mary

About The Competition

The Open Door Series Project WS is an International Cultural Exchange Program designed for the purpose of using the platforms of Literature, Arts and Culture to affirm and uphold the dignity of man. Focusing on the youths as the future of humanity, the ICE seeks to foster unity among mankind regardless of nationality, ethnicity and religion.

Our 1st edition premiered 13th July 2010 on the 76th birthday of Professor Wole Soyinka and had 76 stars of stage and screen walk the red carpet at Muson center in his honor.

Fully sponsored by Zmirage Multimedia in collaboration with Global New Haven, the ICE participants toured Nigeria, Barbados and London where Henry Foluso of Folag treated us royally and gave incredible support. With the theme “arts and culture as a tool for global diplomacy”, the plays Preemptive by Niyi Coker Jnr and Seven by Rachel Hastings “ directed by Co-Executive Producer Segun Ojewuyi, Professor and head of Directing at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, were apt and very well received by the audience at all the venues.

The essays for that year had senior and junior categories. The senior version had the theme of the year as its topic while the juniors wrote on “The Wole Soyinka I know”. With various prizes at stake including an all-expenses paid trip to London which was won by Gbenga Adeniji (a journalist with Punch newspapers), the essay competitions were fun for all the participants.

How To Participate

The second and integral part of the year’s cultural exchange is the essay competition which targets the youth, and is open in two categories:

Ages 12-17 – Secondary/High School students (350-400 words)
Ages 17-22 – College, University and Tertiary level students (800-1000 words).

The submission of essays will start on the 5th of June and close on the 26th of June.

Three winners from each category will be announced on the 14th of July during a scheduled Meet & Greet session in the same virtual/digital space.

Ws86 Essay Competition Rules And Guidelines

Essays should be submitted in PDF, double line spacing, each page numbered. No pictures or illustrations. Font size 12, Times New Roman (or equivalent).
Essays should be not less than 350 words and not more than 400 words for category 1 (ages 12-16) and not less than 800 words and not more than 1000 words for category 2 (ages 17-22).
Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
By entering the contest, all entrants grant WSICE a non-exclusive worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use and publish each entry for any purpose and in any manner which WSICE, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
The judges decision on any matter is final. There is no obligation on WSICE or on the judges to provide an explanation for any decision made.
WISCE and/or the judges may disqualify any entry without an explanation if the evidence suggests that there has been a breach of the competition rules.
Prizes are not transferable or negotiable.
WSICE accepts no responsibility for entries lost, delayed, misdirected or undelivered. Incomplete and or illegible entries will be disqualified. Late entries will not be considered.
All essays must carry a one line certification….. I certify that this essay is solely written by me and no one else has any claim to the copyright.
All entrants must submit a passport photograph. (Headshot)
Winners will be announced on WSICE website and also contacted individually via email.

Judging criteria

Originality and creativity: Treatment of the theme showing imagination, human interest and a fresh point of view. Ability to think ‘outside the box’ in an unusual way.
Content and structure: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.
Length: Must conform strictly to the word limit provided for each category.
There must be logical flow using proper grammar and spelling.
Adherence to the topic. Essays must stay focused on the topic.
Wow factor: Exceptional essays that display an incredible use of vocabulary, clever ideas, and unique style.
No use of foul language, derogatory words or insinuation.