Vashish Jaunky: Sole Mauritian Finalist Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2025

Vashish Jaunky, a 25-year-old writer from Mauritius, has emerged as the sole representative from his nation among the twenty-five finalists for the prestigious 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. His poignant tale, Le soleil n’est pas encore mort (The sun is not dead yet), has been selected from an astonishing pool of 7,920 submissions, a feat that has left the author both surprised and elated, particularly as he submitted his entry at the very last moment.

The journey of grief is a labyrinthine one, navigated uniquely by each individual—some express their sorrow through cries, others through tears, while many internalise their pain.

For Jaunky, the written word became his sanctuary, a vessel through which he could articulate his emotions.

Thus, Le soleil n’est pas encore mort was born, a narrative that not only reflects his personal experiences but also serves to honour the memories and traditions of those he has lost.

This selection grants Jaunky the invaluable opportunity to participate in a workshop titled Introduction to Publishing, led by Nancy Adimora, the founder and editorial director of Other Stories.

“The aim of this workshop is to impart essential knowledge about the industry and practical strategies for building a sustainable writing career,” he shared, embodying the spirit of a young man eager to learn and grow.

Jaunky submitted his story on the final day of the application period in November 2024, driven by a sense of urgency and a belief that he had nothing to lose.

“I thought to myself, I have nothing to lose, so I sent off this piece I had been working on for some time. I had no expectations, so I was both surprised and overjoyed when I learned that my story had been selected,” recounted the resident of Camp-de-Masque-Pavé.

In recent years, Jaunky has attended numerous funerals, which have profoundly influenced his writing. He felt an urgent need to channel his emotions through his craft.

“I observed the funeral ceremonies and drew inspiration from those around me to write Le soleil n’est pas encore mort. This story contributes to preserving memory and tradition,” he explained.

The title itself is imbued with hope, suggesting that “the sun shines for everyone and continues to emit energy as long as it exists. And as long as I am alive, I will hold onto hope.”

Jaunky’s love for literature blossomed during his Higher School Certificate classes at Sir Leckraz Teelock College in Flacq, where his teachers ignited a passion for the written word and recognised his potential.

This encouragement propelled him to pursue a degree in French at the University of Mauritius, and since then, he has been an avid reader, with writing becoming a natural extension of his literary journey.

He drew inspiration from the works of Nathacha Appanah and has contributed to a magazine, gaining experience in public relations and digital marketing along the way.

When he is not immersed in literature, he enjoys hiking and swimming.

As a finalist representing the African region, Jaunky awaits the announcement of five regional winners—each hailing from Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific—on Wednesday, 14 May. The ultimate winner will be revealed on Wednesday, 25 June.

Jaunky’s literary contributions include:

• A collective anthology: Words for the Ocean (2019)
• A compilation of the thirty best texts from the Indian Ocean in Indigo Le Mag: La Porte du Passé (2020)
• A digital publication on Short Édition (Prix des Jeunes Écritures 2021): Berceau condamné
• Selection for the Youth Spotlight Festival at the Caudan Arts Centre in January 2025.

In a world often overshadowed by despair, Vashish Jaunky’s narrative shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the depths of grief, the sun has not yet set.

Source: Defi Media