Created in 1892, the Prix Goncourt is awarded each year to a book written by a French-speaking writer. Since 1998, this prestigious distinction has been internationalized, giving other countries the opportunity to offer their own Goncourt choice. This year, Mauritius becomes the 43th territory to join this network.
Under the impetus of theInstitut Français de Maurice (IFM ) and the Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle of the French Embassy, in partnership with theAcadémie Goncourt and with the support of the Mauritian Ministry of Education and Human Resources, this new literary adventure is taking shape. More than a hundred young Mauritians from the island’s secondary schools and universities, accompanied by 15 teachers, will be entrusted with the task of reading, debating and electing their Goncourt choice from among the four finalists.
Madelaine avant l’aube by Sandrine Collette, Houris by Kamel Daoud, Jacaranda by Gaël Faye and Archipels by Hélène Gaudy: the young judges will have a tough choice! “This initiative gives young readers in Mauritius the opportunity to take an active part in an international literary tradition. It’s a real act of cultural sharing, a way of encouraging critical thinking, but also of strengthening the links between France and Mauritius through literature”, explains Christophe Clanché, attaché for educational cooperation at the French Embassy.
Students will have access to the four selected books via Culturethèque, the IFM’s media library. The next stage: divided into ten groups of 10 to 12 readers, they will debate their favorite work and prepare a short literary review, which they will share on September 5, 2025 during the final deliberation at the IFM. Following a public debate moderated by Davina Ittoo, president of the jury, an electronic vote will determine the winning work of this first edition of the Prix Goncourt – Mauritius choice.
A constructive initiative, offering a platform for shared expression and in-depth reflection on the richness of French literature!
