Lebanese Writer Amin Maalouf Elected Permanent Secretary of the French Academy

The French Academy has elected Lebanese writer and journalist Amin Maalouf as its permanent secretary, succeeding Ms. Hélène Carrère d'Encausse, who passed away on August 5 at the age of 94 after nearly a quarter-century in the position. Maalouf is recognized for his active involvement in academic efforts to update and publish French dictionaries, as well as to introduce new phrases and adapt them to modern developments. At 74 years old, Maalouf is a French writer of Lebanese origin and won the Prix Goncourt in 1993 for his novel "Le Rocher de Tanios." He is well-known for his historical novels inspired by the East and has focused on the issue of cultural rapprochement in his works.