Bookstores close during confinement, the Goncourt price is postponed

The booksellers present their

books among those of the literary season 2020 -

Bookstores were asking for a waiver to stay open during lockdown.

Well, they will close anyway from this Friday and at least until December 1st.

By "solidarity" with the booksellers, the Goncourt prize, which was to be awarded on November 10, has been postponed

, announced the general delegate of the Académie Goncourt Françoise Rossinot.

“The Goncourt Prize is awarded at an indefinite date since on November 10 the bookstores will not be open.

For academics there is no question of giving it back so that it benefits other sales platforms, ”she wrote in a short message on Thursday.

By this gesture, the academicians of Goncourt "wish to express their solidarity with the booksellers", continues the text.

Other affected prices

The jurors of the most prestigious French literary prize had threatened a postponement in the morning if it was confirmed that the bookstores would not be open on November 10.

The Interallie said they made the same decision.

“There will be a selection of finalists on November 12.

But we will not give the prize as long as bookstores are closed, ”a spokesperson for the jury told AFP.

However, the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot confirmed Thursday evening that there would be no exception for these points of sale, during the government press conference detailing the containment measures

“Bookstores are not currently one of the open shops.

But they will be able, like the record stores elsewhere, to organize delivery and order pick-up activities, that is to say the “click and collect” ”, she underlined.

And as for other types of signs, "we will see in 15 days with regard to the health situation if a classic opening becomes possible again", continued the minister.

The French Academy, which was to award its Grand Prix du roman 2020 Thursday afternoon, just before the entry into force of the containment measures, has finally given up.

"The proclamation of the Grand Prix du roman, scheduled for this afternoon, is canceled," said the Academy in a statement at midday, without giving details on the date of a possible new announcement.

Conversely, the Femina price advanced to Monday late morning the announcement of its price, initially scheduled for Tuesday.

The jury invoked, in a press release, "the conviction that literary prizes help support cultural life, booksellers, publishers, readers and authors seriously affected by the containment measures".

Economy

Containment: Economic activity will fall by 15%, estimates the government

Health

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