In October 2023, the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France launched the first edition of the Choix Goncourt Canada literary competition, one of over 35 Choix Goncourt competitions around the world, under the sponsorship of the Académie Goncourt.
The Embassy of France intends to foster, through this initiative, a living and shared experience of contemporary French literature on Canadian university campuses. The Choix Goncourt Canada competition is also a way to promote French and French-language studies and teaching. Over the course of 6 months, the student panels read the 4 novels of the 2023 Prix Goncourt’s final shortlist:
- Veiller sur elle, by Jean-Baptiste Andrea (L’Iconoclaste)
- Humus, by Gaspard Kœnig (L’Observatoire)
- Sarah, Susanne et l’écrivain, by Éric Reinhardt (Gallimard)
- Triste tigre, by Neige Sinno (POL)
In all, 7 universities across English-speaking Canada have decided to join us on this literary adventure:
- University of Ottawa (9 students)
- Queen’s University (5 students)
- University of New Brunswick (3 students)
- University of British Columbia (10 students)
- University of Calgary (4 students)
- University of Alberta (7 students)
- Toronto Metropolitan University (2 students)
For the past year, the students on the reading panels, under the guidance of their supervising professors, had regular meetings to discuss the novels. These discussions were an opportunity to analyze and discuss the novels. Using a scorecard and common criteria, the student panelists made their local Choix Goncourt Canada selection.
On May 2nd and 3rd, the delegates from each reading panel, along with their supervising professors, will be present at the Embassy of France in Ottawa to meet behind closed doors and choose the author who will be awarded the Choix Goncourt Canada prize.
For the student panelists, this time in Ottawa will be a chance to make contacts in the literary world and discuss the place of Francophone literature in Canada. The students will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with French writer Mahir Guven, winner of the 2018 Prix Goncourt for best debut novel for his novel Older Brother (Grand frère) and patron of the inaugural edition of the Choix Goncourt Canada competition.
The winner of the Choix Goncourt Canada prize will be announced on May 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Embassy of France in Canada following the deliberations of the 7 student delegates.
