Some prizes celebrate established reputations. Others seek out the stars of tomorrow. At Monaco’s magnificent Opéra Garnier, the Fondation Prince Pierre demonstrated that there is room for both, bringing together celebrated writers, emerging novelists, contemporary composers and one of the world’s most influential philosophers.
The occasion was the announcement of the Foundation’s 2026 awards on Tuesday 13 October, in the presence of Princess Caroline of Hanover, President of the Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco.
Presented by French journalist and author Elisabeth Quin, the ceremony celebrated achievement across three disciplines: literature, contemporary music and philosophy.
Daniel Pennac: A Lifetime Devoted to Literature
The prestigious Literary Prize went to Daniel Pennac, recognising his remarkable literary career.
One of France’s most popular and distinctive writers, Pennac has spent decades reminding readers that literature should be a pleasure rather than an obligation.
Best known for his wonderfully eccentric Malaussène novels, set in the multicultural Parisian neighbourhood of Belleville, Pennac has combined humour, social observation and an irrepressible imagination to create an unmistakable literary voice.
His celebrated essay Comme un roman also challenged conventional attitudes towards reading, defending the reader’s freedom to skip pages, abandon books and read simply for enjoyment.
The Foundation’s award recognises a writer who has helped generations rediscover the pleasure of books.
Two New Voices Make Their Literary Mark
While Pennac was honoured for a lifetime of achievement, two emerging writers received recognition at the beginning of their careers.
The Bourse de la Découverte, supporting promising new literary talent, went to Soundouss Chraïbi for her debut novel Le soleil se lève deux fois, published by Gallimard.
Meanwhile, the Coup de Cœur des Lycéens, reflecting the judgement of young readers, went to Camille Leyvraz for her first novel Rouille, published by La Veilleuse.
Together, the awards underline one of the Foundation’s most valuable roles: encouraging new literary talent rather than concentrating exclusively on established names.
Contemporary Music: Giving New Composers a Stage
The ceremony also celebrated contemporary classical composition, where innovation and experimentation are essential to artistic progress.
The Tremplin Musical went to Alexandre Jamar for alfabet (2025), a self-published composition.
The Coup de Cœur des Jeunes Mélomanes was awarded to American composer David Fulmer for I have loved a stream and a shadow, a solo piano work composed between 2022 and 2023.
The involvement of young music enthusiasts is particularly noteworthy. Just as the literary awards give students a voice, the music prizes encourage younger audiences to engage directly with contemporary composition.
Martha Nussbaum: What Makes Life Worth Living?
Perhaps the evening’s most internationally distinguished laureate was American philosopher Martha Nussbaum, who received the Prix de la Principauté in recognition of her lifetime’s work.
Awarded jointly by the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco and the Fondation Prince Pierre, the prize honours exceptional contributions to philosophical thought.
A professor at the University of Chicago, Nussbaum has become one of the most influential philosophical voices of our time, exploring questions that extend far beyond university lecture halls.
What does it mean to live a good life? How should societies define justice? And what responsibilities do prosperous societies have towards those less fortunate?
Her pioneering work on human capabilities, developed in dialogue with economist Amartya Sen, has helped reshape international debates about development, equality and human dignity.
Rather than measuring progress solely through economic growth, Nussbaum argues that societies should also be judged by the genuine opportunities available to their citizens, including education, health, freedom and participation in public life.
Her recognition gives Monaco’s 2026 awards a particularly strong international and intellectual dimension.
Princess Caroline and Monaco’s Cultural Legacy
Established in 1966 by Prince Rainier III in memory of his father, Prince Pierre, a passionate supporter of literature and the arts, the Foundation has become an important part of Monaco’s cultural identity.
Under Princess Caroline’s presidency, it continues to champion literary excellence, musical creativity and intellectual achievement.
This year’s winners perfectly illustrate that ambition: from Daniel Pennac’s literary imagination to Martha Nussbaum’s philosophical influence, and from debut novelists to adventurous young composers.
For one evening, the Opéra Garnier became more than one of Monaco’s most beautiful cultural landmarks. It became a meeting place for different generations, disciplines and ways of understanding the world.
And the message of the 2026 awards was a compelling one: great ideas deserve recognition, but tomorrow’s great ideas also need encouragement.
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