The Mayoux-Dauriac Literature Prize is awarded each year to engineering students for their mastery of the French language. Meet Octave Jolimoy , a second-year student studying general engineering, poet, and illustrator.
You have received the Mayoux-Dauriac Prize for your illustrated poetry collection. An engineering student who is also a poet—that's not something you see every day! What is your relationship with the French language?
The French language is a tool that I use every day, of course, asan engineering student. The first connection is that of speech: language as a tool for written and oral communication. For me, however, there is a second, more unique connection. It is that of a means of artistic expression, a tool for creativity, and sometimes even a remedy: I write to sort out certain concerns.
Furthermore, writing is an activity that requires a certain maturity, and one that is all the more difficult for me because I am dyslexic. I started writing poems in my senior year of high school, which helped me correct some of the symptoms of this language disorder, such as making spelling mistakes in every line.
Where are people going? People who are alive Those who are bored What are people doing? People envy People who are delighted What are people thinking? One is thinking The other is yielding
Do you often play with words, as in the excerpt from your poem "Where do people go"?
There are many surprising similarities in the French language, or sometimes confusing homonyms. There are situations that touch me, and that I want to express myself about. By playing with words, you can add rhythm to the text and highlight your ideas. That's what I've done in these short poems, which are quick to read. Over time, my writing has evolved towards freer prose, but I've kept this play on sounds. I think it comes from my musical training.
What does the Mayoux-Dauraic Literature Prize mean to you?
It is a real honor to receive this award. I really wanted to take part in this competition. I wrote this collection beforehand and enjoyed putting together my application and preparing my oral presentation. I was particularly touched by the words of the jury and the staff at the Angers campus. It was a wonderful experience, which made me want to publish it. For now, I'm keeping the idea in the back of my mind because I'm going to Shanghai for two years to do a double degree atTongji University. I'm going to take advantage of this experience to learn about Chinese poetic culture. Their poems are extremely fresh, peaceful, and happy... But happiness is the hardest thing to write about!
