MONTREAL — A prestigious Quebec literary prize has been suspended amid public outcry over the announcement of online giant Amazon as the main sponsor.
An organizer of the Prix litteraire des collegiens announced the decision yesterday after members of the public and the literary community denounced the multinational’s involvement.
The five finalists for the 2019 edition of the prize published a joint letter in Le Devoir this week expressing concern over what they called Amazon’s “extreme competition” and its detrimental effect on small booksellers.
Authors Karoline Georges, Kevin Lambert, Jean-Christophe Rehel, Lula Carballo and Dominique Fortier said Amazon’s involvement runs counter to the prize’s mission of promoting Quebec literature.
A group representing Quebec writers expressed its disappointment at the suspension and called on the Quebec government and the business community to provide the funding needed to keep the prize alive.
The prize’s organizers say they will meet with members of the literary community and are ready to relaunch the contest if they receive enough support.
The Canadian Press
