The ceremony for Literature and Musical composition awards by the Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation took place on Tuesday, October 1 in the Salle Garnier in the presence of its President H.S.H the Princess of Hannover and other distinguished personalities. 

The Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation was created by Prince Rainier III back in 1966 to promote culture and the arts. The Prince Pierre of Monaco Literary Prize, of 15,000 Euros gives recognition to a French writer or any well-known author who writes in French, while the one for Music Composition also of 15,000 Euros, award to a contemporary music work created in the preceding year.

And the 2012 award winners are:

Jean Paul Kauffmann a journalist brought up in Beirut who became a writer obtained the Literary Prize award.

Philippe Lançon, also journalist received the Discovery Purse Award for his book "Les Iles" (The Islands), j-C Lattes, August 2011.

Helene Gestern, lives in Nancy and is author of « Eux sur la photo » (Them on the photo), Arlea, August 2011, for which she received the High School Students’ Favourite award.

Martin Smolka from Prague received the Musical Composition award for his work « Blue Bells or Bell Blues », 2011 Kaija Saariaho, from Finland was recognized with the Young Musician’s Favourite award for her work for clarinet and orchestra « D’Om le vrai sens » (The true direction), 2010

For more information please visit www.fondationprincepierre.mc

Photo from left to right – Martin Smolka, Jean-Paul Kauffmann, H.S.H. the Princess of Hannover, Kaija Saariaho, Helene Gestern and Philippe Lancon  - by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha.