In 2021, India proudly joined the international family of the Choix Goncourt (Goncourt Choice). The Prix Goncourt is one of the most prestigious French literary prizes. It is awarded every year to the author of “the best and most imaginative prose work of the year”. The Goncourt Choice of India was created for Indian francophone students who love literature. It is affiliated with the Académie Goncourt.
Vivre vite by Brigitte Giraud won the second edition of prize, announced during Goncourt choice of India’s ceremony happened on 25th February 2023
For its Second edition, the prize was supported by 10 institutions, comprising the network of Alliances Françaises as well as 9 universities across India:
46 students from these institutions formed 10 local juries of the Goncourt Choice of India. These students got a unique opportunity to access and discover contemporary French literature.
The four shortlisted titles had been announced on 26th October 2022. And, The 46 students had been given exclusive access to the novels. They read them and interacted locally to select their preferred title among:
- Giuliano da EMPOLI, Le Mage du Kremlin (Gallimard)
- Brigitte GIRAUD, Vivre vite (Flammarion)
- Cloeì KORMAN, Les Presque Sœurs (Seuil)
- Makenzy ORCEL, Une somme humaine (Rivages)
One student per local jury had been appointed to form a 10-member final jury at the national level. Under the guidance of a member of the Goncourt Academy, they determined the laureate of the second Goncourt Choice of India on 25th February 2023.
France was also the guest of honour at the New Delhi World Book Fair in 2023 (25th February – 5th of March), marked by many interesting discussions around French and Indian publishing industries.
The winner of the second Goncourt Choice of India is Brigitte Giraud for her novel Vivre vite published by Editions Flammarion.
