Celebrating feminine creativity through the “customization” of the ancient tradition of Catherinettes. This is the idea that Olivier Mothes, his daughter Thaïs (this year it is his daughter Alexandra who is in charge of the organization) and the members of the “Culturons ensemble” association decided to pursue. After a first edition in 2023, the Catherinettes literary prize (1) is therefore back.
Like last year, it is about honoring a young author under 26 years old, modern and open-minded who finds in writing the opportunity to talk about her time.
The jurors of the first edition had crowned The noise of the world by Sara Mychkin. The latter is therefore quite naturally part of the jury like six other men and women including Julien Véron, bookseller in Pontlevoy who underlines “a great initiative that needs to be implemented” on the territory. The City of Montrichard-Val-de-Cher is working on this, this time once again supporting the initiative, joined by the Éclats de lire intercommunal project.
Last year, Olivier Mothes and his daughter Thaïs refined the first edition.
© Photo provided by Olivier Mothes
“This year, publishers started sending us books”
Olivier Mothes, event entrepreneur and native of Montrichard-Val-de-Cher – where he bought the old workshop, intended for a long time for the education of young girls and now nicknamed the Maison des Catherinettes – is determined to anchor this price in Loir-et-Cher. Original. “This year, publishers started sending us books”he specifies. A sign of recognition. And encouragement.
Of the ten first novels received, three (compared to four last year) were selected. The price will therefore have to decide between Emma Tholozan, author of The laughter of others (Denoël), Alix Lerasle Glass between the fingers, (published by Éditions Castor Astral) and Léontine Behaeghel, who signed Five little sadnesses (Editions Robert Laffont).
Like a springboard
The first tells us about Anna, discouraged when her employment advisor tells her that she has no skills. She renounces her studies of philosophy, her passion for Heidegger and her ambitions. She finds comfort with her companion Lulu. One day, the latter starts vomiting banknotes. The young woman wonders whether she should be alarmed for Lulu's health or take advantage of it. The second, Alix Lerasle, takes readers to the heart of the secrets of a disturbing family when Léontine Behaeghel, she delivers a chilling and autobiographical story about the influence she experienced.
Olivier Mothes clarifies it again: he sees in this price the opportunity for a “springboard to approach an ambitious artistic future”.
Like last year, activities are planned this Saturday, November 23. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., a dictation (on registration) will be led by Edith Plancq, former French teacher at Montrichard, with a text specially written for the occasion addressing the theme of Catherinettes at the Hôtel d'Effiat. A literary meeting will follow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., still in the same place, hosted by Emmanuelle Dupuy. The jury's deliberations can then begin from 6 p.m. in the kitchens of the Maison des Catherinettes, in the presence of two of the three editors.
Registration for dictation via the Prix des Catherinettes website
(1) Saint Catherine is today the patron saint of marriageable girls, but also of theologians, philosophers, orators, notaries, students, milliners (hatters), dressmakers, etc.
