SHREVEPORT, La. — The Center for Louisiana Studies has awarded the James William Rivers Prize for Excellence in Louisiana Studies to Dr. Dana Kress, professor emeritus of French and executive director of Centenary College of Louisiana’s Francophone publishing house, Les Éditions Tintamarre.
The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the scholarship, creative work or teaching of Louisiana’s culture, history, literature, arts and people.
Under Kress’ leadership, Les Éditions Tintamarre has expanded from a project focused on republishing historic Louisiana French texts into what the college describes as the nation’s only exclusively Francophone press. The press publishes works in French and Creole while serving as a training ground for student editors and a platform for contemporary Louisiana Francophone and Creole writers.
“Centenary is deeply honored to be recognized with the James William Rivers Prize,” Centenary College President Christopher Holoman said. “As Louisiana’s oldest college, we are committed to celebrating the history and culture of the state.”
Rachel Doherty, assistant director for programming and special projects at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Center for Louisiana Studies, said the press has played a significant role in preserving and revitalizing Louisiana French.
“In awarding the prize to Les Éditions Tintamarre, we are highlighting not only the impact the press has on Louisiana French literacy, but also the impact Dr. Kress has had on French Louisiana’s people,” Doherty said.
The press has expanded its publishing efforts in recent years, including the 2023 publication of what it described as the first Louisiana French novel written in more than a century by author Zachary Richard. It also serves as the official publisher of Feux Follets, a literary journal founded by graduate students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and publishes the Contes Merveilleux collection, featuring original stories written by young speakers of Louisiana French and Creole.
Other authors published by Les Éditions Tintamarre include former Poet Laureate of French Louisiana David Cheramie and folklorist Barry Ancelet.
The James William Rivers Prize is presented by the Center for Louisiana Studies to honor outstanding contributions to Louisiana’s cultural and historical heritage.