Digby Author Wins Grand-Pré Prize

René LeBlanc of Little Brook, Digby Co. is this year's recipient of the Grand-Pré Prize for literature awarded by the Department of Tourism and Culture.

Mr. LeBlanc received the $1,500 prize for his fictional work, Derrière les Embruns. This novel tells the story of a Baie Ste- Marie family's struggle between the two world wars. The book encompasses a time that witnessed the boom of the wooden boat building industry, the miracle of electricity, and the linguistic assimilation of a region.

"I am pleased to extend congratulations to Mr. LeBlanc for earning this special recognition from his peers and from the Province of Nova Scotia," said Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald. "It is important that we continue to recognize artistic achievements within Nova Scotia's Acadian community."

The biennial Grand-Pré Prize was established in 1987 to recognize the work of Acadian Nova Scotian artists. The prize is awarded in one of three categories: literature, performing arts, and visual arts or crafts. The category this year was literature and works written since 1995 were eligible for consideration.

Submissions were reviewed by an assessment panel whose members included Rachelle Watts, representing the Acadian community, Ronald Boudreau, representing the province of Nova Scotia, and Pierre Gérin, a qualified expert who chaired the panel.

Previous Grand-Pré Prize winners include University Ste-Anne for its series of publications sketching life in Acadian Nova Scotia; singer/songwriter Eric Surette; photographer, Francois Gaudet; artisan, Denise Robicheau for her porcelain angels; writer, Father Amselm Chiasson; filmmaker, Phil Comeau; and visual artists, Denise Comeau and Simone D'Eon.