The tenth edition of the Book Fair will take place on the Cours Mirabeau in Narbonne from May 23 to 26, but also elsewhere through other redesigned events. Take out your bookmarks.
The gutters are more or less thick, but the slices are all interesting. The Greater Narbonne Book Fair registered on its 2024 cover a first decade which it celebrated on April 25 by telling a new epic. In the narration, Emma Bellotti, vice-president of the agglomeration responsible for policy and cultural action, was surrounded by Patrick François, vice-president of the Department responsible for associative life, sport and culture, and by Jean-Paul César, deputy delegate for early childhood, childhood and youth in the City of Narbonne. Three communities as bibliophiles as they are aware of the economic contribution that this show generates.
The Independent – CHRISTOPHE BARREAU
“Ten years already that this event has existed with great vivacity”enthused Emma Bellotti in summary. “It is the only one in the department and it welcomes between 10,000 and 13,000 visitors each year. We therefore do not need to imagine the enthusiasm for this next fair since book lovers will be able to stroll along the Cours Mirabeau to meet the authors.” For this edition, diverse and varied feathers will be present that they dedicate themselves to “thriller, news stories, but not only that. Some of whom like to come or return to Narbonne like Marie Nimier, Victor Del Arbol, Dalie Farah, Laurent Bonneau, Pauline Roland…”listed the vice-president.
Thomas Fersen between rock and fiction
Emma Bellotti then revealed that, in addition to the traditional Cours Mirabeau where the authors of the halls at the Pont des Marchands will be gathered, visitors will also be able to attend concerts, literary breakfasts, gastronomy, etc., because “the show has reinvented itself, we have imagined new events”. For example, on May 25, in partnership with the Grand Narbonne national scene, the public will embark with their families at the Narbo Via museum for a contemporary odyssey between rock and science fiction, directly inspired by Homer, before the unusual show of Thomas Fersen, delicious and fanciful adaptation of his novel “God on Earth”, presented on the stage of the Theater + Cinema. The next day, the show will close in words and music with the novelist Chloé Delaume and the guitarist Benoist Este, for a powerful epic which will summon, to Narbo Via, the mythological figure of “Medea before Medea”.
Two exhibitions will not be missed: “Plonk and Replonk”, at the Halles, from May 19 and until June 23, as well as “La Sentinelle du Petit peuple”, based on the eponymous comic book series, from May 16 to 15 June, at the BD & C bookstoreierue Droite.
With more events opening from May 23 with the MJC, lots of activities throughout the weekend, the book will be experienced in full pages. Even in the learning and promotion of reading in schools in Greater Narbonne since some 3,000 students are currently studying authors invited in May.
Finally, some figures: the Book Fair in 2023 was 3,000 books sold; €44,800 turnover; 110 nights for guest authors; 300 meals taken by book chain professionals “and increased commercial activity in the heart of the city of Narbonne”recalled the elected officials.
