2006 Prix Grand-Pré Presented to Alain Raimbault

Alain Raimbault, a writer from Wilmot, Annapolis Co., is the winner of the 2006 Prix Grand Pré.

The $2,000 prize was presented at the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala in Pictou on Thursday, Oct. 19, by Paul Gallant, chair of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council.

"Mr. Raimbault is known for developing themes specific to Acadian culture, values and history in his writing," said Mr. Gallant. "For his dedication to reflecting the Acadian culture in his work and demonstrating excellence and originality, Alain has been awarded the 2006 Prix Grand-Pré."

The Prix Grand-Pre was established in 1987 to recognize the work of Acadian Nova Scotians in performing arts and film, visual arts and crafts, and literary arts. This year the prize was awarded in the category of literary arts.

"I am very happy to be receiving this highly symbolic prize," said Mr. Raimbault. "It is a recognition of my daily engagement with the Acadian and francophone community in my province of adoption, and I am quite honoured. It is possible to have a cultural life in French in Nova Scotia, and the diversity of language and culture allows each and every one of us to grow."

Mr. Raimbault was born in France and emigrated to Canada in 1998. He received his education in literature and linguistics in France and now teaches at the francophone school, Rose-des-Vents, in the Annapolis Valley.

He began his writing career as a poet, then branched out into short stories and novels for young adults. In 2000, having steeped himself in Acadian history, Mr. Raimbault published Herménégilde l'Acadien, a fictional account of the Grand Derangement, which launched his career as a novel writer.

Today, he has published nine novels and four volumes of poetry and is widely recognized in France, the United States and Canada. His works are found in Nova Scotia libraries and are cited in scholarly texts. His fourth volume of poetry, Partir comme jamais, was a finalist for the 2005 Prix littéraire Antonine Maillet-Acadie-Vie and Herménégilde l'Acadien is now part of the New Brunswick Francophone school curriculum.

In addition to the Prix Grand-Pre, the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia's Masterwork Award, Portia White Prize and Aliant New Media Prize were also presented at the awards gala.