Creative writing faculty member knighted by the Belgian government

Chika Unigwe, assistant professor of creative writing at Georgia College & State University, was knighted recently into the Order of the Crown at the Consulate of Belgium in Atlanta. She was also a finalist for the Christoffel Plantin Prize, a prestigious award for Belgian nationals living abroad who contribute to the reputation of their nation.

Unigwe was honored for her artistic and literary merits. Her latest novel “The Middle Daughter” was published this year.

According to the award citation: “Several of her novels and short stories are set in Belgium and were written in Dutch, then translated to many other languages. Her work touches on often difficult topics such as migration, human trafficking, marital abuse and the role of women in society, but she always holds space for humor and zest for life and the inner resolve and fortitude of women throughout her literary work.”

“Chika is someone who doesn’t pander to power, who tackles difficult topics, and more often than not puts her finger, or rather her quill, where it hurts. In times where questions around identity, freedom of speech, disinformation, the nature of truth are central, almost existential for our societies it is important that we as a country applaud and recognize voices such as hers.”

Unigwe was born and raised in Nigeria. She lived in Belgium many years, before starting her literary career there. In the United States, Unigwe taught at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and Emory University in Atlanta before coming to Georgia College.