The first selection for Prix Montluc Résistance et Liberté 2025 was announced on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, featuring authors Jesmyn Ward, Matthieu Niango, and Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin.
The prize, which includes a €5,000 award, honors an author—French or foreign—whose work questions modern methods of fighting oppression or represents an act of resistance itself. It was founded by Jean-François Carenco, and past winners include Hubert Haddad, Itamar Vieira Junior, Jean d’Amérique, and Kaouther Adimi.
The prize has started its 2025 journey with the announcement of its first selection of ten, which includes the following writers of African descent;
- Le Fardeau, Matthieu Niango, éd. Mialet Barrault
- Le Corbeau Qui M’aimait, Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin, éd. Zulma
- Nous Serons Tempête, Jesmyn Ward, éd. Belfond
Matthieu Niango said, “Résistante. My mom resisted yes. To racism that we wanted to tattoo under his skin as second nature. To the disaster that was his first report to life. For the fear of knowing. For the fear of saying. For the fear of sharing. Resist. Current word when racist lunacy is reborn from the ashes of our laziness and cowardice. Joy to see it applied in my book. Joy that the Fardeau is selected for the very beautiful Montluc-Resistance prize alongside other magnificent books, including that of my very dear Lionel Duroy. Thanks to @prix.montluc!”
Five finalists will be revealed at the end of January 2026, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony on April 2, 2026.
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