Olive Tree Prize Official Launch
Inaugural Evening of the Prix de l’Olivier
June 25, 2026 — Palais Jacques-Cœur, Bourges From 6:30 PM
GHALEB BENCHEIKH
Inaugural Conference of the Prix de l'Olivier 2026
A celebration of feminine excellence, savoir-faire, and cultural dialogue at the Palais Jacques-Cœur.
Summary
A Founding Evening
On June 25, 2026, the Prix de l’Olivier will be officially launched at the Palais Jacques-Cœur in Bourges, during an inaugural evening bringing together institutions, partners, cultural actors, entrepreneurs, patrons, and committed personalities.
Conceived as a moment of encounter between heritage, creation, and cultural hospitality, this evening marks the birth of an initiative dedicated to promoting women who undertake, create, transmit, and develop projects with significant cultural and societal impact.
Jointly carried by L’Atelier de l’Olivier and Maison NANA1807, the Prix de l’Olivier aims to contribute to the emergence of a new space for dialogue between artisanal excellence, female entrepreneurship, and cultural diplomacy.
To discover the founding vision, the program's ambitions, and future support mechanisms:
Guest Speaker of the Prix de l'Olivier 2026
Inaugural Conversation
Ghaleb Bencheikh
President of the Foundation for Islam in France, essayist, and committed actor in intercultural dialogue.
On the occasion of the inaugural evening of the Prix de l'Olivier, Ghaleb Bencheikh will offer a reflection on the olive tree as a universal symbol of peace, transmission, and fraternity among peoples.
His intervention will also explore the essential role of women in the transmission of savoir-faire, cultural dialogue, and the emergence of meaningful entrepreneurship, contributing to building bridges between generations and cultures.
An invitation to reflect on the values that unite and how culture, knowledge, and commitment can contribute to a more harmonious future.
“For me, this Award represents the culmination of more than seventeen years of commitment to promoting crafts in France.
To see this initiative take shape today is to project ourselves towards an international dimension where savoir-faire engages in dialogue, is transmitted, and creates lasting links between cultures.”
Marie Teyssou
President of the Prix de l’Olivier
A Vision of Transmission
The Prix de l’Olivier is based on a simple conviction: artistic and artisanal savoir-faire are essential vectors of transmission, cohesion, and dialogue between cultures.
Born from the encounter between the crafts supported by L’Atelier de l’Olivier and the Mintéalogie® developed by Maison NANA1807, the program advocates an entrepreneurial approach based on creation, responsibility, utility, and transmission.
Conceived as a link between living heritage, entrepreneurial innovation, and human commitment, the Prix de l’Olivier honors female journeys that embody a more conscious, sustainable, and cultural way of undertaking.
The Prix de l’Olivier also relies on a network of mentors, experts, and personalities committed to supporting future laureates.
→ Discover the Circle of Mentors
Honoring Those Who Create Meaning and Value
The Prix de l’Olivier celebrates women who:
- build impactful businesses,
- preserve and reinvent savoir-faire,
- develop cultural and solidarity initiatives,
- transmit tangible or intangible heritage,
- create bridges between territories and cultures,
- combine excellence, creativity, and human commitment.
Official Program of the Evening
The inaugural evening of the Prix de l’Olivier will take place on June 25, 2026, at the Palais Jacques-Cœur in Bourges.
6:30 PM — Guest Welcome
Institutional welcome for partners, guests, and personalities present.
6:40 PM — Welcome Address at the Palais Jacques-Cœur
Speech by Madame Élisabeth Pezza Braoun, Administrator of National Monuments in Berry.
6:45 PM — Inaugural Speech
Speech by Madame Marie Teyssou, President of the Prix de l’Olivier.
7:00 PM — Inaugural Conference by Monsieur Ghaleb Bencheikh
President of the Foundation for Islam in France • Producer and host of programs on France Télévisions and France Culture • Member of the Council of Sages of Laïcité • President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace
Exchange session dedicated to intercultural dialogue, transmission, and cultural diplomacy.
8:00 PM — Inaugural Award Ceremony
Presentation of the first awards of the Prix de l’Olivier.
From 8:15 PM — Mint Tea for Peace
A moment of encounter and sharing around Mintéalogie® and the cultural hospitality promoted by Maison NANA1807.
The First Awards of the Prix de l’Olivier
On the occasion of this inaugural evening, the first awards of the Prix de l’Olivier will be presented to embody the program's founding values.
Craft & Creation Award
An award dedicated to a remarkable journey in crafts, artisanal creation, and the promotion of savoir-faire.
International Solidarity Award
An award honoring an exemplary initiative in the fields of education, cultural cooperation, or international solidarity.
These first distinctions form the foundations of a program destined to progressively develop around new categories and new support pathways.
Mint Tea for Peace
The inaugural evening will continue with a Mint Tea for Peace, a cultural hospitality ritual developed by Maison NANA1807.
Inspired by Mediterranean traditions of sharing and welcome, this symbolic moment illustrates the Prix de l’Olivier's desire to create spaces for dialogue between cultures, territories, and generations.
Through Mintéalogie® — the science and art of mint tea — Maison NANA1807 advocates a contemporary vision of cultural hospitality as a universal language of transmission and rapprochement.
Partners & Institutional Support
This first inaugural edition notably benefits from the support of several institutions committed to creation, the transmission of savoir-faire, and the promotion of heritage.
The Prix de l’Olivier is progressively gathering an ecosystem of partners committed to creation, the transmission of savoir-faire, and female excellence.
Participation & Invitation Request
The inaugural evening of the Prix de l’Olivier will be by invitation.
Participation requests can be sent to the organizers via Maison NANA1807's contact form.
Due to the capacity of the Palais Jacques-Cœur, attendance confirmations will be sent after registration validation.
Inaugural Evening of the Prix de l'Olivier
Join the official launch of the Prix de l'Olivier at the Palais Jacques-Cœur and take part in an evening dedicated to feminine excellence, crafts, and cultural dialogue.
Confirm my participationPrix de l’Olivier — Atelier de l’Olivier × Maison NANA1807
Le Cadre du Prix de l’Olivier
Pensé comme une distinction culturelle et patrimoniale, le Prix de l’Olivier s’inscrit dans une démarche structurée de reconnaissance, de transmission et de valorisation des savoir-faire féminins d’excellence.
Une Distinction Annuelle
Le Prix de l’Olivier a vocation à distinguer chaque année des femmes incarnant l’excellence dans les domaines des Métiers d’Art, de la création et de la transmission des savoir-faire.
Un Comité de Sélection
Les candidatures et nominations sont étudiées par un comité réunissant les partenaires fondateurs et des personnalités qualifiées issues des univers de l'entrepreneuriat, les métiers d'art, et de la culture.
Des Critères d’Excellence
Le Prix distingue des parcours marqués par la maîtrise artisanale, la singularité créative, l’engagement dans la transmission et la contribution au rayonnement des savoir-faire.
Un Rayonnement Culturel
Pensé depuis le Berry, le Prix de l’Olivier a vocation à rayonner à l’échelle internationale auprès des créatrices engagées dans l’excellence.
FAQ | Olive Tree Award
Discover the objectives of the Olive Tree Prize, and the cultural commitment upheld by Atelier de l'Olivier and Maison NANA1807.
What is Mintéalogie®?
The Prix de l’Olivier is a cultural and entrepreneurial initiative dedicated to recognizing creative, entrepreneurial women who pass on knowledge and are involved in the fields of crafts, creation, and cultural heritage.
Why did we create the Olive Tree Award?
The program was born out of a desire to promote savoir-faire, artisanal excellence, cultural transmission, and impactful female entrepreneurship through a sustainable and collaborative dynamic.
What vision does Maison NANA1807 share with Atelier de l'Olivier?
Maison NANA1807 and l'Atelier de l'Olivier share a common vision of excellence founded on the transmission of savoir-faire, the celebration of creative gesture, and the recognition of women who shape, preserve, and reinvent decorative and artisanal arts.
What does the Olive Tree Prize reward?
The Award recognizes outstanding initiatives in the fields of creation, crafts, cultural transmission, entrepreneurial innovation, and intercultural dialogue.
What is the Olive Tree Award Mentors' Circle?
The Circle of Mentors brings together experts, entrepreneurs, cultural figures, and professionals committed to providing human and strategic support to future award winners.
Who can join the Mentors' Circle?
The program is open to individuals recognized for their experience, commitment, and ability to impart knowledge in the fields of culture, entrepreneurship, creation, and hospitality.
What is Mintéalogie®?
Minteaology® refers to the science and art of Mint Tea. It explores the cultural, historical, and relational dimensions linked to traditions of hospitality and transmission.
Why does mint tea play such an important role in this initiative?
Mint tea symbolizes hospitality, dialogue, and cross-cultural transmission. It naturally complements the relational and cultural vision embodied by the Olive Tree Award.
Does the Olive Tree Prize have an international dimension?
Yes. The program aims to progressively develop cultural and entrepreneurial collaborations at national, Euro-Mediterranean, and international levels.
What role does the Atelier de l'Olivier play in the Prix de l'Olivier?
A founding partner of this initiative alongside Maison NANA1807, Atelier de l'Olivier brings its expertise in the world of Art Professions and artisanal creation.
Its commitment helps to anchor the Prix de l'Olivier in an approach of transmission, valorization of know-how, and celebration of female excellence.
How to become a partner of or support the Prix de l’Olivier?
Institutions, businesses, patrons, and cultural stakeholders can join the program to support the development of initiatives for knowledge transfer, mentorship, and skills promotion.
Why does the olive tree embody this distinction?
A universal symbol of peace, transmission, and longevity, the olive tree embodies the cardinal values of this distinction: cultural roots, heritage, elevation of gesture, and the enduring nature of the work.
Explorer l’univers du Prix de l’Olivier
Découvrez les initiatives du Prix de l’Olivier dédiées à l’excellence féminine, à la transmission des savoir-faire et au rayonnement culturel.
Célébrer l’excellence et la transmission des savoir-faire
À travers la Mintéalogie®, le Prix de l’Olivier et son engagement aux côtés de l’Atelier de l’Olivier, Maison NANA1807 œuvre à la reconnaissance des arts du Thé à la Menthe, des Métiers d’Art et de l’excellence artisanale comme expressions vivantes d’un patrimoine culturel en transmission.
Cette initiative rend hommage aux femmes créatrices, artisanes et gardiennes de savoir-faire dont le geste, la maîtrise et la sensibilité contribuent à faire perdurer les arts du beau, de l’hospitalité et de la création.
Elle affirme une vision de l’excellence fondée sur la noblesse du geste, la profondeur des savoir-faire et la transmission des héritages culturels comme formes contemporaines d’engagement et de rayonnement.