Mano Bouzamour

(Amsterdam, 1991) won first place as a storyteller at the Rozentuin Festival and has been a columnist for Het Parool newspaper since 2014. His debut De belofte van Pisa (The Promise of Pisa, 2013), based on the author's Amsterdam life, caused a stir and was a great success. Some Moroccans considered him a traitor while others regard him as a role model. His novel, full of delectable Moroccan slang, is especially popular among students. Protagonist Sam, called Samir at home, is an elitist rascal who doesn't seem to have many chances in life. His parents barely speak Dutch, his brother is criminal, his sisters work cash registers, and his friends have no life goals. But Sam is different; he loves classical music and wants to attend grammar school. However, he can barely assert himself at the elitist white school.