fondation-veillon.ch

The European Essay Prize is a literary award dedicated exclusively to the essay, presented since 1975. Its mission is to bring readers outstanding essays across disciplines and highlight authors whose work offers thoughtful, fertile criticism of contemporary societies, their practices and ideologies. The prize is associated with the Fondation Charles Veillon, which provides information about the award, its recipients, the foundation and its partners through its website.

The award recognizes published essay works and connects audiences with their ideas through media resources, including press releases and coverage of ceremonies and panel discussions. Its 2026 laureate is anthropologist Chowra Makaremi, a researcher at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research. She received the 48th European Essay Prize for Résistances affectives, published by La Découverte in 2025. The site presents the book’s exploration of emotion, political action, vulnerability and resistance, alongside information about Makaremi’s earlier publications. With its focus on rigorous, socially engaged writing, the prize supports the essay as a form for examining the issues and movements shaping contemporary life.