Big names, guests of honor, new releases… Everything you need to know
Among the 190 authors announced, three are part of the second list of the Prix Goncourt: Philippe Jaenada with Casualness is a beautiful thing Maylis de Kerangal for Surf day and Abdellah Taïa for The Bastion of Tears. Unless there is a last minute cancellation, you will also find, under the marquees, Didier Esposito, Bruno Gaccio, Olivier Merle, Miya, Eve Guerra…
Focus on three guests of honor
Philippe Besson succeeds Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt and will be the godfather of this 38e ᵉ edition. The writer will present his latest novel to the Saint-Etienne public A summer evening. Other guests of honor, Marie Pavlenkoas godmother of the Les Mots en scène festival, and the local child, Pierre Gagnairewho will sign his latest work A life in the kitchen Sunday. “We have chosen guests of honor who all have a real attachment to the Book Festival,” explains Anna Jouchoux.
Social sciences at the heart of the celebration
The Manufacture des savoirs leaves Place Dorian to join, this year, that of the Town Hall. This “laboratory” dedicated to social sciences is an opportunity to question current themes: ecology, feminism, environment, gender equality, politics… “We wanted these themes to be at the heart of the party,” emphasizes Anna Jouchoux. In turn, the Saint-Étienne publishers’ village and the Lire marquee in Saint-Étienne, managed by RCF, will be installed on Place Dorian.
Inauguration evening at La Comète, this Friday
Meet in the Tarentaize district, at 6:30 p.m., for the launch of this 38e Book festival (registration required). In addition to the literary awards ceremony, the Saint-Etienne company Ensemble Nomade will offer a Mots en scène taken from the latest novel by Philippe Besson, in the presence of the author and Marie Pavlenko.
Romain Gavidia
