This year marks the 15th edition of the Saga Café Prize which rewards the first novel by a French-speaking Belgian author. An event created by the famous Liège establishment to contribute to the literary influence of the Cité ardente.
This year, the winner is Tournaisian Carine Mestdag for “Le chant du chardonneret” published by Murmure des Soirs.
Sakutaro is a Japanese writer who has been passionate about French culture since childhood. Installed in Paris, he decided to cut ties and retire, anonymously, to the South-West of France. There, he will meet new people: Louis his philosophical gardener, Koko a slightly magical little girl and this famous goldfinch whose song will guide him through his memories.
Carine Mestdag practiced general medicine for more than thirty years and trained in acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritherapy. For years she has practiced Zen Soto meditation, which led her to discover Japanese poetry and to cultivate the writing of haikus. In her story, she alternates prose and poems, some written by French authors, others by Japanese authors, and closes each chapter with a haiku that she wrote.
The Saga Café Prize also rewards short stories. This year, it is signed by the Liège author Christiana Moreau to whom we owe novels like “The Lady of Clay” or “Cachemire rouge”. His short story is called “Pippin Apple”. It is a walk through the streets of Liège, through art, painting with a fun and demanding scene at the Saga Café and the obligation to quote the phrase: “I come from Liège, damn it!”
The godmother of this 15th Saga Café literary prize was the lively Belgian actress and author Stéphane Bissot.
Belgium
