The Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens: A Prestigious Literary Award for Young Readers
What is the Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens?
The Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens (The Goncourt Lycéens' Prize) is a prestigious French literary award given annually to a French-language novel by a young writer. Established in 1988, the award is organized by the Académie Goncourt and is open to writers under the age of 35.
Eligibility and Selection Process
To be eligible for the award, authors must submit their novels to the Académie Goncourt by a specified deadline. A jury of 10 high school students, selected from across France, reads and evaluates the submitted novels.
The jury deliberates and votes on a shortlist of four to six novels. These shortlisted works are then presented to the general public, who can read and vote for their favorite book online.
The Award Ceremony
The winner of the Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens is announced at a ceremony held in Paris in November. The winning author receives a trophy and a monetary prize of €10,000.
Significance and Impact
The Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens is considered one of the most important literary awards in France. It provides young writers with a platform to showcase their work and gain recognition within the literary community.
The award also plays a significant role in promoting reading among young people. By involving high school students in the selection process, the Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens encourages them to engage with contemporary French literature and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Past Winners
Some notable past winners of the Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens include:
- Virginie Despentes (1998) for Baise-moi (Rape Me)
- Jonathan Littell (2006) for Les Bienveillantes (The Kindly Ones)
- David Foenkinos (2014) for Charlotte
- LeÏla Slimani (2016) for Chanson douce (Lullaby)
Conclusion
The Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens is a prestigious literary award that recognizes and celebrates the work of young French writers. Through its rigorous selection process and involvement of high school students, the award promotes reading and literary engagement among young people.
Prix Goncourt Des Lycéens
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