Kamal Dawood After Receiving the Goncourt Prize: The Character of My Novel Embodies the 'Girl of Science and Research'

The most prestigious literary award in France was awarded to Kamal Dawood, an Algerian writer, for his novel 'Hooris' which addresses the status of women in his country. On Tuesday, November 14, after receiving the award, Mr. Dawood referred to the struggles of Iranian women and told reporters that the main character of his novel embodies all women, including a protesting woman who recently stripped naked at one of Iran's universities. The Goncourt Prize, which has a history of over 120 years, is considered the most prestigious award in the French-speaking world, almost as old as the Nobel Prize in Literature. Philippe Claudel, a prominent French writer and president of the Goncourt Academy, explained the reason for this year's award to 'Hooris,' stating: 'The Goncourt Academy honors a book in which lyricism and tragedy intertwine, showcasing the sufferings related to a dark period in Algeria, especially the sufferings of women. This novel demonstrates how literature, at its highest level of freedom in hearing reality, and its emotional density, recalls the past in a way that is separate from the stereotypical narrative of a people.' This year, in addition to Mr. Dawood, Gael Fay, a Rwandan writer, also received another prestigious French award, indicating that the top literary prizes in France went to those who are not originally French. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, immediately wrote on social media platform X: 'I congratulate Kamal Dawood for receiving the Goncourt Prize and Gael Fay for receiving the Renaudot Prize. Our French language expresses beauty, tragedy, and universality even better through their voices.' Kamal Dawood, who has previously commented on issues in Iran, especially the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, referred to the protesting woman known in Iran as the 'Girl of Science and Research' after receiving this award. He stated that the main character of his novel embodies all women, including the woman who undressed at one of Iran's universities. During the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, he had previously written an article titled 'Hijab is Murder,' stating: 'Hijab kills. The death of Mahsa Amini reminds us of this evidence once again.' While the sale of 'Hooris' has been banned in Algeria, Kamal Dawood spoke about his exile, saying: 'France is my second motherland. I was born in Algeria from my mother's womb and in France through literature. Therefore, yes, I am fortunate to have two countries, meaning two windows. My mental room is much brighter with these two windows.' Ten years ago, Kamal Dawood was excommunicated by an Algerian cleric, similar to Salman Rushdie. He now sees this award as a boost for writers facing threats in countries like Algeria. Dawood said: 'This Goncourt means something to me, to my family, to my wife, to my three children; but it also means something for all writers and everyone who wants to write beyond the walls of our democracies, but are afraid, are accused, are attacked, are besieged, are terrified, are killed, and face other calamities.' Kamal Dawood emphasized that 'the reality is that this award gives fresh air to those on the other side, especially to Algerian writers who are afraid.' The Algerian civil war, which left over 200,000 dead, is known as the 'Dirty War.' Kamal Dawood stated that his novel was a duty for future generations, ensuring that 'such events do not happen again.'