The Prince Pierre Foundation of Monaco is marking two significant anniversaries this year with a lecture programme showcasing winners of its literary awards.
Running from January to June, the 103rd conference season celebrates 75 years of the Prince Pierre Literary Prize and 25 years of the Discovery Grant, both of which recognise outstanding contemporary writing.
The programme features eight events, beginning with composer Samuel Andreyev on January 19th at Monaco’s Théâtre des VariĂ©tĂ©s. Andreyev will discuss how strict creative constraints can paradoxically lead to greater artistic freedom.
A week later, documentary director Nicolas Philibert joins journalist Jacques Kermabon for a conversation about staging and ethics in non-fiction filmmaking, organised with Monaco’s Audiovisual Institute.
Then, February brings acclaimed novelist Pascal Quignard, the 2000 prize laureate, who will examine the ancient tale of two lovers communicating through a crack in a wall as a metaphor for literature itself.
Inside the writing life
More recent winners continue the series in spring. Jean-NoĂ«l Pancrazi, last year’s recipient, will reflect on the evolution of his writing practice on March 9th, from school essays to intimate autobiographical narratives.
The following week, novelist David Thomas brings an insider’s perspective to the topic of literary awards. Having received six prizes for ten novels, including the 2009 Discovery Grant, he’ll candidly assess their real impact on authors’ careers and livelihood.
French Academy member Dominique Bona will then appear on March 27th to discuss her biographical work on figures from Romain Gary to Berthe Morisot, exploring why other people’s stories help illuminate our own mysteries.
Fellow academician Maurizio Serra closes the Monaco programme in late April, considering whether multilingual writing enriches an author’s craft, drawing on examples from Conrad to Nabokov.
Paris conclusion
The season wraps up in Paris on June 12th with philosopher Souleymane Bachir Diagne, who received the 2024 Principality Prize jointly from the foundation and Monaco’s Philosophical Encounters. The Columbia University professor will deliver a keynote address on a subject yet to be announced.
All evening talks begin at half past six and are free to attend, though advance booking is advised and can be made at www.fondationprincepierre.mc.
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Main photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Government Communications Department