If the Société nationale de l’Acadie withdrew from the France-Acadie Prize with the hope of creating a new international literary prize, for his part, Alain Dubos of Amitiés France-Acadie maintains that this distinction which has existed for almost half a century will be awarded again in 2025, under a new name. The French association is even considering adding a reward for children’s literature.
In 2023, following a misunderstanding, the France-Acadie Prize was not awarded, the jury arguing that none of the works received had the qualities required to deserve the prize. This decision had created discontent among the few publishers who had submitted works. Following this event and due to certain divergences in values, the management of the SNA (partner of the prize) sent a letter to the Amitiés France-Acadie association informing it that it was withdrawing from the prize, while inviting him to think about the name of this distinction so as not to create confusion.
After consulting the Acadian literary sector, the SNA came to the conclusion that this prize no longer met the needs of the community, says its president, Martin Théberge.
“We realized that there was a problem in terms of the values conveyed. For example, they want works written in what they call correct French or sustained French and we also want to promote works that are written in the spoken language, which reflect the language that is used by Acadians today. ‘today.’
The president of the prize and vice-president of Amitiés France-Acadie, Alain Dubos, maintains that he is resolutely on the side of the French language and that he clings to it like a buoy.
“I am willing for the French language to undergo attacks, for it to be transformed, but not in my country. I really care about it,” said the president of the jury in an interview with Acadie Nouvelle.
«[…] We remain desperate for the French language which is attacked from all sides […] including here at the Republic school, so we have to fight every day with teachers, teachers who are more and more scared, so we cannot give in.”
“If we want to award prizes for the inclusion of all kinds of other literature in the French language, no problem. There are juries for that, but for us it’s the French language,” he continued.
Meeting with the literary world
Officials from Amitiés France-Acadie met with publishers and authors during the last Salon du livre de la Péninsule acadienne in Shippagan to discuss technical problems, the selection process and to redefine a little the value of the works that are submitted.
Mr. Dubos recognizes that there was an unfortunate misunderstanding and that the preselection should not have been published (in 2023), especially since there was no winner. Mr. Dubos mentions that those responsible continue to reflect and assures that there will be a prize in 2025, with a call for authors, finalists and a jury under a new name: the France-Acadie Friendship Prize. Operational modifications, particularly to the sending system, are underway with the aim of starting again on new bases.
According to the statutes of the prize, founded in 1979, works signed by Acadian authors or relating to Acadia are eligible, provided that they are written in a language that suits them, specifies the president of the jury. A youth literary prize is also under consideration.
Martin Théberge emphasizes that even if the discussions between the two organizations are a little tense, relations are maintained. The France-Acadie Amitiés are still members of the SNA. It is clear that they have their place at the table, assures the president.
“We want to be able to continue talking to the Acadians of France and to someone who could represent them.”
A new international award
The SNA has taken steps to create a new international literary prize which, it is hoped, will reflect the Acadian color and culture of today. The president admits that the procedures are taking longer than expected.
“In the new version of the France-Acadia agreement, which was signed 13 months ago, we talk about the promotion of the French language and French and Acadian cultures. Since then, we have been working with the French embassy in Canada and the French consulate to develop an action plan and within this action plan is the creation of a new literary prize between France and Acadia. We don’t have a name yet.”
The Acadian and French literary sector will be involved in the creation of the prize. Partners are already being considered.
The type of prize has not yet been determined. Will it be a university-style literary prize with a jury that recognizes the quality of the work or a more popular award, such as a reader’s prize?
To date, there is only one other literary prize for Acadian works, the Antonine-Maillet-Acadie Vie prize.
Alain Dubos of Amitiés France-Acadie alongside author Vanessa Léger during the presentation of the Special Prize of Amitiés France-Acadie. – Courtesy
After consulting the Acadian literary sector, the SNA came to the conclusion that this prize no longer met the needs of the community, says its president, Martin Théberge. – Archives
Vanessa Léger awarded the Special France-Acadie Friendship Prize
Although those responsible for the France-Acadie Friendship Prize took a break this fall to review the terms and conditions, they still chose to award a special Prize to Vanessa Léger for her trilogy L’Averti (Éditions La Grande Marée). In 2023, she received a special mention from the jury. Alain Dubos specifies that according to the statutes, a trilogy cannot be awarded an award before it is completed. The jury has been following the work of the author from Tracadie since the release of the first volume of her romantic fresco. After the publication of the third volume, it seemed normal to reward her.
“We gave this special prize for this year, saying rather than a completely blank year where nothing happens, we had the intention of complimenting this work in one way or another, we did. So we don’t consider that as the 2024 price, we consider it as a special price indeed.”
Vanessa Léger, who is on a literary tour in France, received her prize at the end of last week.
Martin Théberge also wanted to salute the work of Vanessa Léger and congratulated the author on this honor.
