The mayor, Michel Dufranc, Alexandre de Montesquieu and the judges welcomed the two winners of the Montesquieu prize on Saturday morning: Christel de Lassus for the adult prize and Brigitte Somers for the youth prize.
They were presented in the presence of Isabeau de Lur Saluces, who came from Paris for the occasion, and who painted a moving portrait of her ancestor, Joséphine d’Yquem, whom she rightly considers to be “the first female business leader in France” and the family’s role model.
Going back even further in time, Monique Brut, vice-president of the Circle of Friends of Montesquieu, mentioned a Bonnaventure of Lur who, through marriage, became the owner of the Château de La Brède and has many things in common with Joséphine.
Interviewed by Christophe Lucet, columnist at “Sud Ouest”, Christel de Lassus explained her “encounter” with Joséphine d’Yquem, her many qualities, her tenacity, her strength of character in trials (bereavement, French Revolution), her capacity for resilience, her visionary side concerning the properties of Sauternes and Fargues, her spirit of decision, all things that she distils in her book “Joséphine d’Yquem. À l’origine d’un vin de légende” and which make this work an exceptional vintage.
The second youth prize was awarded to Brigitte Somers, presented by Rachel Morin, who was responsible for creating the prize. Alongside them were Virginie Darriet Féréol, a literature teacher at Montesquieu College, and the librarians from Montesquieu and Rambaud Colleges, whose students selected “À la belle étoile”, which helps make them “reader-actors”; they were particularly sensitive to the themes of difference and harassment described by the author, who is delighted that her book gives young people a voice on these often painful subjects.
Related News :