Corinne Desarzens Awarded Switzerland’s Prestigious Grand Prix de Littérature
Corinne Desarzens, a Franco-Swiss author and journalist, has been honored with the 2026 Grand Prix suisse de littérature, Switzerland’s highest literary distinction. The award, announced on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by the Federal Office of Culture (OFC), recognizes Desarzens’ significant contribution to Swiss literature. Alongside this prestigious honor, Christian Viredaz was awarded the Prix spécial de traduction, acknowledging his exceptional operate in translation. The announcement comes as seven authors receive Swiss Literature Prizes for works published in the past year, with the awards ceremony scheduled for May 15, 2026, during the Soleure Literary Days, and will be attended by Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Desarzens, born in Sète, France, in 1952 and currently residing in Onnens, Vaud, is celebrated for her diverse body of work, encompassing novels, short stories, and travel narratives. Her writing is deeply influenced by her passion for languages, holding a degree in Russian. She previously received a Swiss Literature Prize in 2021 for “La lune bouge lentement mais elle traverse la ville” (La Baconnière, 2020) and the Prix Michel-Dentan in 2023 for “Un Noël avec Winston” (La Baconnière, 2022). Her most recent publication, “Le petit cheval tatar” (La Baconnière, 2025), explores the complexities of vision, examining the science, art, and history surrounding perception and its illusions.
The OFC highlighted Desarzens’ unique approach to autobiography, characterized by a digressive style enriched with anecdotes, obscure knowledge, and quotations. Jurors noted how she skillfully transforms everyday details and seemingly disparate information into a flowing, interconnected narrative. Her work often prioritizes the world over the self, presenting a fragmented yet luminous perspective. Desarzens’ own experiences with myopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia have informed her writing, leading her to embrace ambiguity as a pathway to clarity. This distinctive style has cemented her position as a leading voice in contemporary Swiss literature.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Literary Exploration
Desarzens’ career spans three decades, during which she has consistently reinvented the boundaries of autobiographical writing. Her novels and stories are not simply accounts of personal experience but rather explorations of broader themes through a uniquely personal lens. The jury praised her ability to create “carrefours” within her writing, where each sentence offers multiple layers of meaning and invites readers to engage in their own interpretations. The OFC’s press release details the significance of this award as the highest literary honor in Switzerland.
Beyond her novels, Desarzens’ work includes travel writing, demonstrating her curiosity and openness to different cultures and perspectives. Titles like “L’Italie, c’est toujours bien” (Grasset, 2018) showcase her ability to capture the essence of a place through vivid descriptions and insightful observations. Her literary journey has been marked by a willingness to experiment with form and style, constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft. This dedication to innovation has earned her a devoted readership and critical acclaim throughout her career.
Recognizing Excellence in Translation: Christian Viredaz
Alongside Desarzens’ Grand Prix, the Prix spécial de traduction 2026 was awarded to Christian Viredaz, a translator from Vaud. Viredaz, aged 71, is a journalist, literary critic, and poet whose work has been instrumental in introducing Italian and Ticino authors to French-speaking audiences. He has too translated works from German, bridging linguistic and cultural divides. Leman Bleu reported on the dual awards, highlighting the importance of both original writing and translation in the Swiss literary landscape.
Viredaz is lauded as a mentor to emerging translators, known for his empathetic and nuanced approach to his craft. The jury described him as “the poet of the poet,” capable of capturing the unique voice and spirit of each author he translates. His extensive catalog includes translations of works by Giorgio and Giovanni Orelli, Fabio Pusterla, and Pietro Montorfani, among others. He has also embraced contemporary voices, working with poets whose writing draws inspiration from slam poetry. His dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding through translation has made him a vital figure in the Swiss literary community.
A Celebration of Swiss Literary Talent
The Grand Prix suisse de littérature and the Prix spécial de traduction are just two components of the broader Swiss Literature Prizes, which recognize outstanding literary achievements across various genres. This year’s awards celebrate seven authors, including two from the Romandy region: Sandro Marcacci, from Valais, for “Me taire,” and Antoine Rubin, from Biel/Bienne, for “Calcaires.” These awards, each worth 25,000 Swiss francs, acknowledge the diversity and vitality of Swiss literature.
The other recipients of the Swiss Literature Prizes are Martina Clavadetscher (“Die Schrecken der anderen”), Begoña Feijoo Fariña (“Come onde di passaggio”), Asa Hendry (“archiv”), Jonas Lüscher (“Verzauberte Vorbestimmung”), and Nora Osagiobare (“Daily Soap”). These authors represent a range of voices and perspectives, contributing to the richness and complexity of the Swiss literary scene. The Grand Prix and Prix spécial de traduction, valued at 40,000 Swiss francs each, represent the highest level of recognition within the Swiss literary awards system. Latele.ch provided further details on the awarded authors and their works.
The awards ceremony will take place on May 15, 2026, as part of the Soleure Literary Days, a significant event in the Swiss literary calendar. The event will be attended by Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, underscoring the importance of literature and culture to the Swiss government. This celebration of literary excellence promises to be a highlight of the year for the Swiss literary community and a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.
Key Takeaways:
- Corinne Desarzens has been awarded the 2026 Grand Prix suisse de littérature, Switzerland’s highest literary honor.
- Christian Viredaz received the Prix spécial de traduction for his contributions to literary translation.
- Seven authors were recognized with Swiss Literature Prizes for works published in the past year, with two hailing from the Romandy region.
- The awards ceremony will be held on May 15, 2026, during the Soleure Literary Days.
The Swiss literary scene continues to thrive, with these awards recognizing both established and emerging talents. The celebration of Desarzens’ and Viredaz’s achievements, alongside the recognition of other promising authors, underscores the importance of literature in Swiss culture. Further updates regarding the Soleure Literary Days and the awards ceremony will be available on the Federal Office of Culture’s website. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on these awards and the importance of supporting Swiss literature in the comments below.