Meeting with Jakuta Alikavazovic – France Culture Student Novel Prize
Students and staff from the Faculty of Science had the opportunity to meet novelistJakuta Alikavazovicon Thursday, December 6, in lecture hall 36.01. This unique voice in contemporary literature is well known in Montpellier, as she is a regular at the Comédie du Livre book fair and was invited to take up residence at Moco La Panacée in 2024 for the exhibitionEntre les lignes. Art et littérature(Between theLines: Art and Literature). Winner of the Prix Goncourt for a first novel for Corps volatils and the Prix de la rentrée littéraire du Monde for L’avancée de la nuit she came that evening to discuss her latest work Au grand jamais as part ofFrance Culture's Student Novel Prize.
This eagerly awaited event is organized in coordination with the DVC (Art and Culture Division) and theSCD of the University of Montpellier. Thanks to the active involvement of Jean-Michel Marin, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, and Sonia Chalbi, Art, Science, and Culture Officer at the FDS, this initiative has introduced several new features this year: the creation of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of a literary circle for FDS staff (in parallel with that of the student jurors) and the organization of Science, and Culture at the FDS, this year's initiative has several new features: the creation of a literary circle for FDS staff (parallel to that of the student jurors) and the participation of theFiers de Lettres bookstore, which offered a selection of books related to this literary prize.
Jakuta Alikavazovic graciously and generously answered questions from Javier, Killian, Noémie, Franciszek, and Zoé (all science students). The discussion focused on memory, transmission, and erasure in the context of the war in Yugoslavia, the novelist's country of origin. There were many rich exchanges with the audience, both in the lecture hall and during the reception held in honor of the author.
As Jean-Michel Marin pointed out, the France Culture Student Novel Prize aims to enable young people from all disciplines to encounter living literature, written today, and to engage directly with its authors. It is a wonderful demonstration of curiosity and openness, reminding us that knowledge only has meaning when it is circulated and shared.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the next edition in 2026!
