Choix Goncourt de la Suisse to Sandrine Collette

Le Choix Goncourt de la Suisse was awarded to Sandrine Collette for her novel "Madelaine avant l'aube", which won out of 16 new French novels nominated. Marta Pizzagalli and Dalila Vitali, students at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), also took part in the jury.

The prize-giving ceremony took place on Wednesday, 27 November at the French Residence in Bern, in the presence of Ambassador Marion Paradas and Louis-Philippe Dalembert, winner of the prize in 2019. The choice was made by a jury of 80 students from nine Swiss universities.

In this story out of time, Sandrine Collette tells of Madelaine, a wild and hungry little girl who emerges from the forest. The child will bring light to the inhabitants of the village of Des Montées, before leading them to the tragedy that will shatter their lives along with their ancestral servants.

"It was an opportunity to indulge in some leisurely reading, useful at the same time for exercising the French language and critical thinking. The reading circle is also an opportunity to meet new people with the same interests, both within USI and at other Swiss universities", say Dalila Vitali and Marta Pizzagalli.

This coming spring, students will have the privilege of meeting the winner Sandrine Collette, invited to Switzerland for a literary exchange, as was the case with Neige Sinno's visit to Lausanne's Palais de Rumine in May 2024.

Le Choix Goncourt de la Suisse celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Sponsored by the Académie Goncourt, it is coordinated by the French Embassy in Switzerland and supported by the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie - Western Europe, Payot Libraire and the Swiss section of AMOPA (Association des Membres de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques).

Further information and photos are available on the website of the French Embassy in Switzerland.