Waterville author pleased to lecture in Russia

By Wendy Elliott

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

Waterville writer Martine Jacquot spoke recently at four Russian universities in both French and English.

Her connection was with a French professor, Natalia Druzina, at Saratov State University in the Volga region, whom she met in Paris last year. Druzina was teaching French with Jacquot’s short stories. “I got the invitation in January and then I had to work on a visa.” Eventually, Jacquot spent three weeks in Russia at conferences, doing readings and providing workshops.

At all four universities she stopped at, Jacquot said, “the level of French was really very good. I was surprised.”

She discovered groups of students interested in Canada. “They were so enthusiastic, they had stars in their eyes,” Jacquot chuckled. “The discussion was amazing.”

In Moscow, she found classes studying Des oiseaux dans la tête, from a collection of her short work of fiction.

By the time she left, Jacquot said, “I felt I had wings. It was hard to comprehend.”

Jacquot was fascinated by Russia, its history, climate and culture. Saratov, for example, used to be a closed city. It was strictly off limits to all foreigners because it was a major military aircraft manufacturing site. The university there has 28,000 students.

She was also impressed with resourcefulness of the Russian women. “We are so spoiled. Life is hard for them. They can’t even retire. We are fortunate in Canada.”

Inspired by the evident interest in French language literature in the former Soviet Union, Jacquot is now dreaming of starting a Russian cultural centre in Nova Scotia.

A poet, novelist, short-story writer and essayist, she has published more than 15 books. Jacquot also contributes to magazines and anthologies in Canada and abroad.

The Waterville resident and mother of two was invited to be part of a panel of women writers from the Francophone world at a conference in Tunisia in 2000. In 2004 she presented her novel Masques in Paris and Ottawa. Three years ago, she had three works published, including a young adult novel.

Jacquot has completed a 
basic textbook for teaching Acadian literature, based upon her essays, interviews and original research documents over the years. She gives workshops in schools and conferences and is involved in the Conseil Culturel Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse.