Students face Julia Deck for the Prix Roman des Étudiants France Culture

Meeting an award-winning novelist while exploring intimate and universal themes: a challenge taken up by students at the University of Montpellier. The S.C.R.I.B.E.S association hosted a fascinating discussion with Julia Deck, a novelist shortlisted for the Prix Roman des Étudiants France Culture. Here's a look back at the meeting.

On Tuesday November 19, the Faculté des Sciences de Montpellier welcomed Julia Deck, author and winner of the Prix Médicis for "Ann d'Angleterre". Shortlisted for the Prix Roman des Étudiants France Culture, this powerful work was the subject of a public meeting led by four student jurors, three of whom are members of the association S.C.R.I.B.E.S. Readings, interviews and discussions punctuated a meeting where literature and intimate reflection were intertwined.

An ongoing literary initiative
For the past 12 years, the Prix Roman des Étudiants France Culture has been inviting students from all over France to vote for their favorite novel from a selection of the new literary season. The prize, which has already rewarded authors such as Gaël Faye and Salma El Moumni, aims to bring literature and the younger generation closer together. S.C.R.I.B.E.S - Salon de Création Récréative et d'Initiation Bienveillante à l'Écriture par les Scientifiques - is no stranger to encounters. In previous years, members of the association have welcomed Thomas Gunzig, Agnès Desarthe and Claire Baglin as part of the prize. These exchanges were made possible thanks to the active involvement and constant support of Jean-Michel Marin - Dean of the Faculty of Science. Always remarkably serious, these encounters enable students to explore the subtleties of the nominated works. This time, Julia Deck lends herself to the game.

A meeting rich in exchange
The event opened with a vibrant reading of an excerpt from the novel by Julia Deck herself, before an interview conducted by the jurors got underway. Among the themes addressed - the question of autofiction, stylistic choices, the place of the reader in a novel, the writing process, family ties and the place of health in our society - none escaped our jurors. The discussion also gave way to lighter moments, such as a timed quiz where the author had to answer "yes" or "no" to a variety of questions, an excerpt of which can be viewed on S.C.R.I.B.E.S.'s Instagram. The numerous audience members were also able to ask questions, fuelling a warm and intimate exchange in which Julia Deck sincerely shared her thoughts on writing and the place of investigation in her novels.

The Prix Roman des Étudiants continues to create a dialogue between literature and young people, a challenge that Julia Deck and the students have taken up with brio. By welcoming contemporary writers, S.C.R.I.B.E.S and the Montpellier Faculty of Science reaffirm their ambition to offer students a space where science and literature meet. These exchanges are never anecdotal, as Jean-Michel Marin, who attended the meeting, reminded us several times.
While awaiting the final verdict, the members of S.C.R.I.B.E.S continue their mission: to celebrate creativity in all its forms. Missed this event? Don't worry, the association organizes weekly writing workshops open to all students at the University of Montpellier.

To follow S.C.R.I.B.E.S: Instagram @scribes_um
For more information on the prize: Instagram @lesprixetudiantsf

Article written by Nafi Terrasse, a student in the MédiACCES Master's program at the FdS.