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What does the
creation of the Hugues Capet Award mean to you,
Madame the Countess ?
The Hugues Capet award
represents, for me, the unity of the Capets. In our
time of surging contradictory view points which
divide the world, unity is essential among those
who share the same traditions This tradition gives
them stength, but equally gives value in a morale,
religious and political sense. I am happy that Mr.
Auclair had the idea of creating this prize which
enhances the prestigious works of our historians in
a time when it is important to remember what the
Capets have accomplished for France.
Your highness, are
you surprised by the media success and popularity
in such a short amount of time?
I am happily surprised by
the success of the award, in an time when science
and technology swallow us up in a constricting
materialism . It only shows that the public has a
real need to find logic in the structure of our
country.
How are the
deliberations of the members of the jury carried
out?
There are 12 members of
the jury, and each year we meet in a lovely room at
the Pavillion Elysee. Even with our diverse
personalities, and our different vocations :
literary, journalistic, theatrical, etc., we become
unified by the same passion: History. The
discussions concerning the award, are extremely
animated and funny at times, but always friendly.
Opinions are expressed and it takes several rounds
of debating before deciding to whom the Huques
Capet award will be presented.
What do you think of
the first winners?
I am extremely content
with the prizes that we have awarded, but I am
always saddened that we cannot award more than one
prize a year as we always have numerous books of
great value and potential.
Who are your
favorite kings and queens?
At our residence we have
several paintings of Henri IV, and since my
childhood, he has always played an important role
in my life. Especially during my youth, I remember
the look of the Good King Henri gave me after I
misbehaved and I must admit that it bothered me
alot. There is Louis-Philippe, the grand father of
my grandfather, who we always called Bon Papa, and
also I like Francois the 1st, whom I became got to
know during my childhood holidays with my parents,
in the castles of the Loire. As for my favorite
queens, I have a large amount of tenderness and
admiration for Blanche of Castille who was an
exceptional woman. I am also fond of Anne of Kiev
and would love it if soon one of our historians
would write a book about her passionate
life.
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