Victor-Lévy Beaulieu almost became the first Quebecer to win the Grand Prix de la langue française awarded by the French and Goncourt Academies. We refused to give him this distinction associated with a scholarship of 10,000 euros, because he was unable, due to health problems, to go to France.
Physically diminished for a few years, due to post-poliomyelitis syndrome, the author and playwright who moves in a wheelchair, was unable to go to the 40th edition of the Brive Book Fair to receive this prize.
“It was a sine qua non. I had to refuse. I am in a wheelchair and I don’t go out often,” he said in a telephone interview.
Organizers didn’t want to make an exception for the 77-year-old who suffers from a condition that attacks his muscular system and mobility.
“I tried to explain to them, but they didn’t seem to understand. It’s annoying. It’s a bit of a stupid decision, ”he dropped.
Victor-Lévy Beaulieu learned on October 30 that he won this distinction for his entire career. This prize is awarded to a personality from the literary, artistic or scientific world, whose work contributes significantly to illustrating the quality and beauty of the French language.
“I absolutely had to be there between November 4 and 6. I should also have had a passport made. It was very tight,” he said.
moral victory
The prize was awarded to author Nathacha Appanah from Mauritius. Dany Laferrière was part of the 10-person jury made up of writers and journalists.
At the end of the line, the author of Trois-Pistoles is not furious. The voice is calm.
“These are old conditions that are akin to cultural colonialism. I do not know where it comes from. They are not very quick to change things. If you give a prize, you give it,” he said.
Victor-Lévy Beaulieu would have become the first Quebecer to win this prize created in 1986. Bernard Pivot, Annie Ernaux, Jean-Paul Kauffmann and Emmanuel Carrère have already received this distinction.
“It’s very frustrating because it was a first for a Quebec writer. It showed an openness to Quebec culture, which doesn’t happen often, despite what they say,” he said.
Beyond this disappointment, Victor-Lévy Beaulieu accepts the thing as a moral victory. This prize was still awarded to him before it was taken away.
“I am happy with this recognition. This is a great victory for the contribution of Quebec authors to the French language,” he specified.
Without this exit from the Quebec writer, the thing would have remained silent.
“I hope that my release will help change things,” said the author who will launch, in a few weeks, a 97th book entitled Poisson d’October marauding among the Gauls.