Mozambican academic Benvinda Tsurre recently won first prize in the 27th International Japanese Writing Competition for Students Around the World.
The competition is promoted by the portal "Nihon wo Shiru," one of Japan's most prestigious cultural dissemination platforms.
The young woman stood out among 10,578 participants from 97 countries and regions, and was one of two contestants to receive the top prize, valued at 100,000 meticais and an honorary diploma.
The competition, themed "Your Favorite Japanese Word," aims to promote cultural exchange and linguistic improvement among foreign students of Japanese.
In a conversation with Mozavibe, Benvinda Tsurre said that the distinction is a symbol of persistence and overcoming challenges.
"This recognition is a victory not only personally, but also for Mozambique. Many of the competitors have greater contact with Japanese culture, so winning was a sign that dedication can break down any linguistic or geographical barrier," she said.
Tsurre's winning text was based on the Japanese proverb "A person falls seven times and gets up eight," a metaphor that the author transformed into a reflection on resilience, hope, and rebirth.
"I chose this proverb because it reflects my own journey and, at the same time, the history of Mozambique. We are a people who have faced countless challenges, but who always find the strength to start again," she explained.
With humility and enthusiasm, the winner also shared her plans for the future.
"With gratitude, I intend to use part of the prize to acquire materials that facilitate the teaching and learning of Japanese, sharing this knowledge with other interested students. And, with the other part, I want to support solidarity initiatives; I believe that learning and helping should go hand in hand," she emphasized.
(By Rafael Langa)
