This 2nd edition will bring together 60 writers (29 women and 31 men) from Saumur and the surrounding area, representing a wide variety of literary genres: stories, poetry, haikus, detective novels, fantasy, children’s stories, works on heritage, history, and photography. Twenty authors who participated in the first edition return this year with new works, while forty new writers join the adventure, thus enriching the event with their creativity and unique styles. “The different authors come from a radius of around fifty kilometers around Saumur, in the direction of Angers, Tours, Cholet or even Thouarsais. We thought a lot about organizing this second edition. We did not want to repeat exactly the same as the previous edition in order to renew ourselves and present as many authors from the region as possible. However, some have published new works and made the first one a success. We therefore decided to reserve a part of the workforce for authors who came the previous year, provided that they have a new book”explains Marcus Néron, deputy mayor of Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent at the origin of the project. The idea came to him when he saw the number of local authors who regularly presented their books in the newspaper. “I started to feel them and quickly I obtained a list of 250 authors, enough to make a few editions of L’Amour Dé…Livre(s)”, he emphasizes.
A unique short story competition
A notable new feature of this edition, a short story competition was launched on the evocative theme “Awaken the child or animal within you”. Twelve invited authors took part, and their works will be submitted to a jury made up of six people. Two winners will be rewarded – a man and a woman – during the closing ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. This competition promises to highlight emerging literary talents and offer great reading moments to visitors to the show. Last year, a poetry competition was offered.
A space dedicated to children
The youngest will not be forgotten. In 2024, a space specially designed for them will be hosted by Mélanie Cousin (Les cours de Méla), with drawing and writing activities. This workshop will allow children to develop their creativity while having fun, while their parents can explore the stands of the many authors present.
An opening harpsichord concert
As a prelude to this literary day, the show will be inaugurated with an exceptional musical event. On Saturday October 26 at 7 p.m., the Argentinian artist Mario Raskin, internationally renowned harpsichordist, will give a concert at the Espace André Lacaze. Based in France since the 1980s, Mario Raskin is known for having founded the “Saison Musicale de Montsoreau” and for his tours around the world. This concert, with free access, will mark the start of this weekend dedicated to culture and encounters. “We have talents that we don’t always know and that we don’t always know how to put forward”concludes Marcus Néro.
The 60 authors present
Nathalie Antien – Claude Aubertin – Jean-Baptiste Belin – Gino Blandin – Vlady Boissin – Jean-Claude Bonnaud – Yvon-marie Bost – Michel Brochu – Emmanuel Brouard – Chantal Cadoret – Mylène Canevet – Francis Carpentier – Thierry Cesbron – Alexis Pier Charire – Creet – Nathalie Da Costa – Maalik David – Mélanie De Coster – Sabine De Lannoy – Carole Demy Fournigault – Erick Day – Anne-Lise Du Lys – Aurélien Fanni – Dorothée Fontanillas – Françoise Froment – Lindsay Gaudou Labergris – Olivier Genitoni – Bertrand Gillet – Patrick Gillet – Nathalie Naëhl Gruben – Christelle Guilleux – Christian Hardy – Jean-Yves Hureau – Tony Jagu – Paule James – Nicolas Jolivot – Ludovic Kerzic – Anaïs Lancelot – Patrice Lefrançois – Brigitte Lemaire – Véronique Lesaffre – Julie Madouxini – Olivier Maillehuy – Michel Maud Mirault – Mélina Montains – Muriel Odoyer – Philippe Vahakn Ouzounian – Eva Pechová – Jerry Pineau – Isabelle Piquelin – Nathalie Pivert Chalon – Christie Raboni – Isabelle Renault – Marylène Serrault – Abylie Skal – Paul Steiger – Martine Trouillet – Valérie Ursule – Michel Vaissi.
Practical information: Sunday October 27, 2024 – From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Espace André Lacaze, Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent. Free and free entry – Catering on site. Harpsichord concert by Mario Raskin, Saturday October 26, 2024 at 7 p.m. Espace André Lacaze – Free entry.
