Postponed in solidarity with the closure of bookstores, the awarding of the Goncourt prize still has no official date.
But this will necessarily have to be done before Christmas.
Because if Goncourt is a literary distinction of the first importance, it is also a financial windfall for a large part of the sector, including bookstores.
It had to be today.
It was this Tuesday November 10 that the prestigious Goncourt prize was to be initially awarded.
But as with many events, the coronavirus has disrupted schedules.
On the announcement of the closure of bookstores for the reconfinement, the Académie Goncourt announced the postponement of the price
sine die out of
solidarity.
If no date has yet been announced, one thing is certain: the 2020 Goncourt Prize will be awarded before Christmas.
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An economic stake
Because in addition to prestige, the Goncourt prize is an economic stake for a good part of the book industry.
The author of course, his publishing house, but also bookstores.
On average, a book that wins the Goncourt sells 350,000 copies.
But for the manna to be complete, this book must be able to be found under the trees of many French people.
"It is obvious that the prize will have to be awarded so that booksellers can sell this book", confirms at the microphone of Europe 1 Didier Decoin, president of the Goncourt academy.
December 10 as a "deadline"
To do this, the president has a "deadline" in mind: December 10.
Why ?
"To give the government the possibility of reopening bookstores."
There is therefore a maximum month left for each member of the jury to decide which author they intend to vote for.
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But it doesn't matter who will have the honor of seeing the banner "Prix Goncourt 2020" affixed to the front page of his book, this year the price will have a very special flavor.
Closure of restaurants requires, deliberation will not take place around a table at Drouant, as every year.
Video conferencing will be required.
As for the announcement of the winner, it will not be done in the usual turmoil.
"It will be a proclamation via the press agency the same day at 12:45," said Didier Decoin soberly.
"The winner will be deprived of celebration."
And as the Goncourt gives the LA to all the other literary prizes, the Renaudot will be announced on the same date.
The French Academy will announce its winner a little earlier and the Interallié prize will close the season.