BEIRUT: In honor of poet and novelist, Andree Chedid (1920-2011), a public library Monday has been inaugurated in her name in Paris.
Born in 1920 in Cairo, Chedid relocated to Paris in 1946. She was considered a prominent voice of her generation – an intermediary who linked European culture with her Lebanese origins.
Her literary works were focused on the relationship between the individual and the world, winning Chedid several prizes. In 1979, she was awarded the coveted Goncourt Prize for her novella “Le Corps et le Temps” (Body and Time) and in 2002, she was once again awarded the Goncourt for her poetry. But the climax of her career came when she was ordained Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor in 2009. Chedid married physician Louis Chedid and gave birth to Louis, a renowned French singer, and Michele – now a painter based in Luxembourg. Chedid published her first novel, “On the Trails of My Fancy,” in 1943.
It is perhaps natural then, that a public library has been renovated and opened in her name.
The 2,300-sqm “Bibliotheque Beaugrenelle – Andree Chedid” grants disabled access, and holds collections of books for adults and children, along with multimedia installations.
Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë and the author’s grandson Mathieu Chedid were present for the opening.