Projects supported 2009

Main projects :

« Drôle de zèbre » Exhibition and Henri Roorda publication

The Foundation provided support to the Association of Friends of Henri Roorda (AAHR) for the organization at the Historical Museum of Lausanne of the exhibition « Drôle de zèbre » on Henri Roorda (1870-1925), who was of Dutch origin. Considered to be one of the most original humorists of the Suisse Romande, his chronicles were published regularly in the Tribune de Genève and the Gazette de Lausanne. The author, among other works, of Le pédagogue n’aime pas les enfants, he opposed the rigidity of the education provided in school which discouraged the desire of young people to learn. The volume published on the occasion of the exhibition contains eight unpublished texts by Henri Roorda. The Foundation granted a subsidy to contribute to the financing of this retrospective exhibition.

New Generation literary prize

This new literary prize was launched by the Association pour le Roman des Romands to encourage the young to discover modern novels of contemporary Swiss literature. It is awarded each year by high school students to an author who has published a work in Suisse Romande. During the selection period, the Organizing Committee plans meetings with writers in both classes and bookshops, thereby increasing the attention paid to literary works and the enthusiasm of high school students. The first New Generation Prize, to a value of CHF 15 000.-, was awarded to Yasmine Char for La main de Dieu, published by Editions Gallimard. Born in Lebanon, Yasmine Char has lived in Switzerland since the age of 12. The Foundation is among the donors which supported the organization of this literary prize.

Jaipur Literature Festival

With a reputation as a literary celebration of the highest level in Asia, the Jaipur Literature Festival offers a broad range of activities every year. Discussions, readings, films and plays are scheduled over five days. This event, which draws writers and artists from the world over, enjoys international media coverage. In 2009, the programme included Tarun Tejpal, Jai Arjun Singh, Patrick French, Shashi Tharoor and an exhibition entitled «The Garden of Un-Earthly Delights», consisting of a garden of technicolour sculptures presenting the new works of Indian artist Suhasini Kejriwal. The Foundation once again supported the organization of the Jaipur Literature Festival by providing significant assistance.

Sion middle schoolchildren literary prize

The first Prix des Collégiens (Schoolchildren’s Prize) has been launched by the Middle Schools of la Planta and les Creusets in Sion. The purpose of the prize is to develop the pleasure of reading among their students, who number 2 200, by encouraging them to read works that are not usually covered in the classroom. Six works were selected by the jury, made up of schoolchildren. The Prix des Collégiens, worth CHF 2,000.-, was awarded to Michel Layaz for Cher Boniface, published by Editions Zoé in 2009. The Foundation contributed to the cost of setting up the prize. 

« Un air de traduction »

The Foundation provided support to the Literary Translation Centre of the University of Lausanne for the organization of a day entitled «Un air de traduction», to mark its 20th anniversary. The programme was devoted to translation for various forms of expression, namely theatre, music and literature. The award of the prize for excellence in the field of translation, to a value of CHF 20,000.-, which is attributed every three years by the Translation Centre, was a moment that was particularly keenly awaited. The prize was awarded to Eva Moldenhauer and Bernard Kreiss for their work as a whole.

How books pass frontiers

A major discussion organized by the European Society of Authors at the National Institute of Art History in Paris, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The round-table meetings, film showings, readings and discussions raised questions on the current conditions governing the movement of works and ideas in Europe. Mathieu Larnaudie, Pascale Casanova, Oran Pamuk, Raphaël Enthoven are among the many writers who contributed to the programme. The Foundation supported this event by providing financial assistance and through the participation of its President, Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, in the discussion « East/West : What visions in the mirror ? Does the literature of the East exist ? »

Adolf Portmann : The enigma of living appearance

Philosopher, translator and writer, Jacques Dewitte takes inspiration from authors such as the ethnologist Adolf Portmann, of whose extraordinary work he is an admirer. After dedicating several articles and conferences to him, he embarked upon the preparation of a major book on his thought with, as its provisional title, The enigma of living appearance. This is a large-scale project requiring complete rewriting to be published. The Foundation awarded a grant to allow Jacques Dewitte to free himself from his professional commitments so that he could devote himself to the project.

Hétérographe – Revue des homolittératures ou pas

The Hétérographe Association, through its Revue, combats the clichés and discrimination of which many people are still victims due to their difference. Through literature, the Revue Hétérographe provides a space for reflection and debate on issues of identity by publishing the texts of authors. The Foundation provided support for the preparation of the second issue of the Revue.

Dürrenmatt and Poland

Through their enthusiastic reception of the plays of Friedrich Dürrenmatt, the Poles contributed to his popularity in Eastern Europe. In particular, The Visit of the Old Lady, a symbol of cultural opening, enjoyed very great success. Dürrenmatt’s intense relationship with Poland has been reconstituted by the Dürrenmatt Centre in Neuchâtel and the Federal Culture Office. It has required considerable research, entrusted to Professor Jan Zielinski, who began his work in 2008 and continued through 2009. The Council of the Foundation decided to finance the whole of the research.