Author Edna O’Brien honoured with France’s highest cultural accolade
ONE of Ireland’s most celebrated authors, Edna O’Brien, has received France’s highest cultural distinction just ahead of International Women’s Day.
Recognised as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, a committed feminist who offered a voice to women around the world, the Co Clare author (90) has become a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Accepting the accolade in an address filmed in London, she told those gathered for the online ceremony: “I want to convey to you the happiness and disbelief I feel on receiving this great honour.
“In fact, I was so surprised and confounded when I received the first letter from Minister Roselyne Bachelot and I put it aside because actually I thought a second was going to come cancelling it. We’ll put that down by my Catholic upbringing. Anyhow, I found the letter and replied and here I am.”
Up to 20 people a year can receive the accolade and she joins some prestigious recipients including Seamus Heaney and Bono.
The author of 18 novels whose debut novel,
The Country Girls, was published in 1962, she paid tribute to her readers over the years who “multiplied so they kept with me”.
She also referenced her “great publisher” Sabine Wespieser who made sure her readership increased as well as her “flawless translators” who helped bring her books to an international audience.
Speaking about her journey into writing, she said she had an “untutored life” and had no inkling how she became a woman of letters.
“It means everything to me and I don’t know how I caught it,” she said.
Ms O’Brien, who has a huge following in France, received the honour during an event hosted by the Cercle Littéraire Irlandais (Irish Literary Circle).
It was attended by the two embassies alongside the Irish and French Culture Ministers, Catherine Martin and Roselyne Bachelot.
Other participants included writer Colum McCann, actor Gabriel Byrne and Nora Hickey M’Sichili, director of the Irish Cultural Centre.