Le Prix Voltaire 2022 Goes to Mikella Nicol
The names Chloé and Clara may not ring a bell, yet these young women were the protagonists of the award ceremony of the Prix Voltaire 2022, on November 17. And that’s because Chloé and Clara are, as a matter of fact, the heroes of Mikella Nicol’s novel “Les filles bleues de l’été”, prizewinner of the evening. The ceremony was hosted at the Château Voltaire, a majestic venue located in the heart of the 1st arrondissement in Paris, and bestowed onto the young Canadian writer a very unique trophy designed by the Franco-Italian artist Joris Poggioli. An intimate and universal friendship story, where the accuracy of Nicol’s writing echoes the core values of Zadig&Voltaire. The “Freedom, strength and vulnerability” emanating from her delicate writing” the do “leave a trace” says Loulou Robert, president of the jury, this year composed of Zadig&Voltaire’s artistic director Cecilia Bönström, journalist Kate Pouliquen, and writer Oscar Coop Phane. All were captivated by Nicol’s lyricism and her depiction of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. And if Nicol’s work surprised us all, the other nominees put up quite a competition, so we may soon be hearing about Guillaume Perilhou, Joffrin Donnadieu, Claire Baglin, Lucie Rico, and Lili Nyssen.
Photos: Jean Picon
